Elizabeth Louise "Betty Lou" Hackbarth

1933 - 2023

Sunday, September 10, 2023, Elizabeth Louise Hackbarth, 90, longtime resident of Madison passed away at Madison House surrounded by family. She was the wife of the late Robert F. Hackbarth. Elizabeth was born in New Haven, CT on March 22, 1933, the daughter of the late Charles F. Pickett and Mildred E. Pickett (McNamara).

Loving mother of Susan E. Fillion and her husband Steve of Killingworth; William C. Hackbarth of Hampton, NH; and Michael J Hackbarth and his wife Kate of Clinton. She also leaves behind six grandchildren; Rebecca, Steven, Adam, Sarah, Mary Kate, and Saoirse; and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Carol A. Izzo (Pickett) and her husband Joe of Bluffton, SC as well as sixteen nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother C Rodman Pickett and his wife Laura C Pickett (Civiatello) of Houston, TX.

Betty Lou was a 1952 graduate of East Haven High School. She worked for Yale University until shortly after her marriage to Robert in 1958. During her 63-year marriage she raised four children. She also ran the family farm that included horses, cows, chickens, turkeys, and other livestock. She later worked in retail and banking and eventually ran her own women's clothing store.

Betty Lou also liked to travel. She enjoyed visiting her brother's family in Texas most of all. During her lifetime she traveled to Italy, Nassau, Cape Cod, and the Caribbean. She also enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Guilford with her children and grandchildren.

Betty Lou's generosity and hospitality was legendary. She loved to shop, especially for gifts for friends and family, particularly grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Most of all, Betty Lou loved nothing more than to have her home filled with family and friends. She was the master of the blueberry pie. All those that visited her home were treated to a piece of her blueberry pie.

She will be deeply missed by all those that knew and loved her. May they all find some measure of comfort in the wonderful memories of her presence in their lives.

Friends are invited to a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Margaret Church, 24 Academy St, Madison on Saturday, October 7 at 11AM. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; www.stjude.org Arrangements are in care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com