Elizabeth Hendrie Wooster, "Betsy," of Hanover, NH, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023 after a long illness. She was surrounded by her loving husband and children. A resident of Kendal at Hanover, she received wonderful, attentive care from a large team of doctors, nurses, and other caregivers.

Betsy was born in Newark, NJ on December 17, 1937. She grew up in Glen Ridge, NJ with her parents, Esther and Charles Hendrie, and her sister, Marcia. At Glen Ridge High School, Betsy excelled at both academics and sports, earning top grades and playing on several teams. She was gregarious and social, with a natural poise and leadership ability. She spent many summers at Camp Nyoda in Oak Ridge, NJ, rising from junior camper to head counselor, and always carried Nyoda in her heart.

Betsy attended Smith College, majoring in English and enjoying numerous activities. She had a deep and enduring love for Smith and many fond memories of her years there. While in college, Betsy fell in love with James ("Jim") Wooster, who attended Dartmouth College. Many fun weekends were spent together at Smith and Dartmouth, along with wonderful friends with whom they have remained close throughout their lives.

Betsy graduated from Smith in June 1960, and she and Jim were married a few weeks later. After a honeymoon on Cape Cod, Jim entered the Navy and they moved to Newport, RI, where Betsy taught second grade at St. Michael's Country Day School. Together with Jim, Betsy raised four wonderful children and moved several times to towns in Massachusetts and Vermont. Betsy was a master homemaker, hostess, cook, activity coordinator, and planner.

When the children reached high school and college, she earned a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in 1984. She worked as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Woburn, MA and then in Newport, NH at West Central Behavioral Health. She and Jim moved to Norwich, VT in 1992. After retiring in 1996, they enjoyed travelling around the world, visiting their children, and supporting local community organizations.

Throughout her life, Betsy loved skiing, biking, and sailing with family and friends. She adored being on the water – special places included Orleans, MA; Squam Lake, NH; Sanibel Island, FL; and the Caribbean Islands. She had a passion for nature, animals, choral music, singing, and gardening. Betsy was a champion of family and friendship, and she had great personal warmth. She was empathetic, affirming, and fun. She embraced the idea of life as a work in progress, with continual room for growth and exploration.

Betsy is survived by Jim, her husband of 62 years; Jim and Laura Wooster (Belmont, MA); Chuck Wooster and Sue Kirincich (White River Junction, VT); Beckley and Dave Schowalter (Holden, MA); Bruce and Jenny Wooster (Winchester, NH); grandchildren Zachary (Marissa), Ian, Beckley Rose, Jesse, and Timothy; and her sister, Marcia Holroyd.

A memorial service will be held in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to West Central Behavioral Health https://www.wcbh.org

 

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