Avis Blanche Bettis

The family of Avis Bettis sadly announces her peaceful passing on August 28, 2025, at the age of 96. Avis was hard working, independent, dedicated, and had a feisty side. She always wanted to be helpful all the way until the end. She lived in her own home until June of this year. She was predeceased by her husband, Landon Bettis, in 1984. Born in Springfield, MA, on April 18, 1929, Avis was the third of four children of Earl P. Collins and Mary E. (Sumner) Collins. After losing her mother at age two, she was raised by her Aunt and Uncle Begiebing in North Adams, MA, before joining her father and stepmother, Eleanor, in Brattleboro, VT. Avis attended Brattleboro High School, and she began working at an early age. She was working at the Paramount Theatre when she met her first husband, Clifton "Kippy" Stephens. Married in 1947, they settled in Hinsdale, NH, and raised two daughters, Brenda Lynne (Stephens) Finnell and Candace "Candy" Jane (Stephens) Turant. She worked many years at the Holstein in Brattleboro, VT. In 1963, she married her second husband, Landon Bettis. They moved to Springfield, MA, where Avis began a career at Aetna, before relocating to Concord, NH. There, she enjoyed working at St. Paul's School library from 1968 to 1989, where she was recognized for her dedication. After retiring in 1998, Avis moved to Keene, NH, to be closer to family. She cherished time with her dear friend, Stella Nesbitt, and had a special place in her heart for Stella's children: Sharon, Donna, and Cathy. She loved luncheons, day trips, traveling to Florida in the winters, and her beloved pets-poodle Pierre and cat Gabby. She was always on-the-go and active in the Women's club, the Red Hatters, and Cheshire Walkers. Avis is survived by her daughters Brenda L. Finnell and her friend Ken Nichols and Candy J. Turant and her husband Michael; step-daughter June VanDewall; half-sister Elaine Davis; grandchildren Craig Finnell and his wife Denise, Lisa Finnell, Jill (Turant) Gorton and her husband John, and Jake Turant; step-grandchildren Andrew Lederer and Aaron Lederer; and great-grandchildren Megan Graham and her husband Aaron, Carter Finnell and his partner Kayla, Logan Finnell, Ansley Gorton, Hollis Gorton, and Sloan Turant. She is remembered fondly as Gram, Grammy, Grammy-Gram, and Mimi. Avis had a very close relationship with her siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews, along with many other beloved family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, stepdaughter Jayne Lederer, siblings Wendell S. Collins and wife Jean, Sherwin Collins and wife Shirley, and Marilyn Roy and husband Derick, her grandson Timothy Turant, and her lifelong friend Stella Nesbitt. Special thanks are given to her caregivers Pam Williams, Terry Zehr, and Robin Baldinelli, along with HCS Home Hospice Services. A graveside service will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale, NH, on September 20, 2025, at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life. Memorial donations in Avis's name may be made to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.