30 Jan 2022 In Memoriam ~ Betsy Wooster ~ 1946-2022
It is with great sorrow that we share the news of Betsy Wooster’s passing. Anyone who knew anything about the Lincoln County Democratic Committee, knew Betsy.
A few reflections on a web page would never do for Betsy, because she loved to spend time with people, listening, sharing, and laughing. She loved to bring people together for a purpose. So everyone is invited to gather on Zoom to share some of our favorite memories, our stories, to laugh, to cry and remember this exceptional human who will be greatly missed.
Remembering Betsy
Sunday, February 6
1-3 PM
This Zoom event has passed.
Whether you are able to attend or not, please share a written tribute in the comments section below (an email address is required but will not be shown publicly).
Also below some our favorite Betsy photos, please read her obituary to learn more about this great lady and to read the details about her memorial service as planned by her family for Monday, February 7. There is a Skype option if you are unable to attend in person.
Obituary from Hall Funeral Home
Elizabeth P. Wooster
May 2, 1946 – January 30, 2022
Elizabeth (Betsy) Pomerleau Wooster died peacefully from pancreatic cancer at the Sussman Hospice facility in Rockport. It was a quiet morning with the sun illuminating the mounds of snow after the blizzard. This luminescence was a fitting tribute to Betsy’s life of dedication to family, friends, community, and politics.
To have known Betsy is to have experienced her organizing and leadership skills that drew you into a vortex of activity, whether it be for New Hope for Women in Rockland, The SAD 40 school board, the Lincoln County Democrats, the Waldo Theater, the Town Library, the local garden club, or the Broad Bay Congregational Church. Her major focus for many years was building the local democratic party through fundraising and community organizing. Her wonderful humor, wisdom, and empathy made her a treasured friend to scores of people.
Betsy grew up in her beloved town of Jackman, Maine with her parents Lauriana Bartley Pomerleau, Armand Pomerleau and two older siblings, Margaret and Dolly. Her interest in politics began in high school at Sacred Heart Academy when she started tracking political candidates and their positions. She was influenced by politicians such as Ed Muskie and George Mitchell, who would stop in at her home during their campaign tours.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in French and French Literature from the University of Southern Maine. Shortly thereafter, she met and married Ted Wooster, a young pharmacist from Waldoboro, Maine. Here she made her home for 50 years and raised her two children, Anne Dolores Wooster and Luke Armand Wooster.
Betsy was a superb gardener, loved to play Bridge and Mahjong, and especially enjoyed traveling, mainly to France.
She is survived by her children, Anne Wooster and partner Steve Peaslee, Luke Wooster and his wife Jennifer Waldron, grandchildren Amelia and Jonas Metcalfe, and her sister Dolly Pomerleau.
Betsy’s immediate family, a vast group of cousins, and an even larger number of friends mourn her loss and will remember her with love and gratitude. Rest in peace, dear Betsy.
The memorial service will be at the Broad Bay Congregational Church in Waldoboro on Monday, February 7 at 1:00. Masks are required.
In lieu of flowers, Betsy suggested that you may make a donation to Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ, 941 Main St. Waldoboro, ME 04572 or at: https://www.broadbaychurch.org/.
Funeral arrangements by Halls Funeral Home in Waldoboro. To participate via skype, sign in as a guest at the funeral home with the following link: https://join.skype.com/gJ6RDcnfnAdC
Susan Goodwillie Stedman
Posted at 12:59h, 04 FebruaryA light has gone out in Lincoln County and in the world–so let us all who were touched by her effervescent goodness carry her spirit on! With love and gratitude for her sparkling life, Susie Stedman
Paula Arsenault
Posted at 14:09h, 04 FebruaryAlthough I didn’t get to see Betsy much, on the occasions when I did she had a way of making me feel like I was a dear, close friend. Her generous and open spirit drew me in to something I wish now I could have had more of. She was smart and witty in an unassuming way. She kept things real. I will miss her. I am sad to know that I’ll never again be able to feel the warmth of her sparkling eyes and wide grin. She left a good and valuable mark.
Geoff Bates
Posted at 14:10h, 04 FebruaryBefore Betsy agrees to walk through the Pearly Gates, she’s gonna confirm that ol’ St. Pete is a Democrat.
And then she’ll make sure he’s registered to vote in Lincoln County.
And, finally, she’ll hit him up for a donation to LCDC.
I saw Betsy for the first time at my very first monthly LCDC meeting at the Newcastle firehouse in 2018. Just a newbie, I had no idea who this woman was, but it was clear from the deference that all paid her that she was someone I needed to get to know.
We worked closely together in fundraising during good times (2018) and bad (the pandemic), and my deep appreciation of her openness, her institutional memory, and her fierce embrace of Democratic values grew. At one point, as we discussed the price point for an initiative we were planning, she let me know in no uncertain terms that we needed to keep it low – so anyone could reasonably afford to attend.
She, along with others on the committee, showed me the ropes – the ins and outs of the Fundraising Committee and its calendar – and over the past 4 years I came to look upon Betsy not just as a Democratic colleague, but as a valued friend. In fact, one of my most treasured memories of Betsy was when I addressed a short email to “Bets” and she replied that only her friends called her Bets and confirmed that I had made the cut.
The last time we saw eachother was in December, when I stopped by unannounced to deliver some rum balls that Susan I and I make each year and to pick up a Dem Fundraising brochure from the 1990s she had mentioned several times that I needed to have. We chatted comfortably in her kitchen and when we parted, she gave me a hug. We agreed to have lunch after the New Year.
I waited too long to make a date. When I raise a glass to her, I’ll let her know that we’ll do our best to honor her memory and the lifelong commitment she made to the welfare of everyday people. We’ll continue to build upon the legacy she and her friends – who began this organization LO! those many years ago as the super-minority party in Lincoln County – only dreamed of, and that we will uphold the principle that every person deserves an even break. No matter who they are or where they come from. I miss you already, Bets.
Caroline Bond
Posted at 12:45h, 05 FebruaryBetsy, you’ll be glad to know our son is now registered to vote (can you believe he’s old enough?) in Lincoln County! I thought of you when I took his photo at that momentous occasion and knew I must let you know. I know you know cause I feel your smile and see your twinkling eyes. How I shall miss seeing them and feeling your hugs. Thank you for your commitment and hours of hard work in making our world a better place. Our family loves you and I miss you already.
Chris Hall
Posted at 15:17h, 05 FebruaryBetsy, you were my inspiration to become active in Lincoln County Democrats, the State Committee, the DNC and to run for the Legislature. You were always supportive to the point of pushing me beyond what I thought I could do. Now I’m back from serving overseas I’m prevented by my job as Town Administrator to be active in the party, I have really missed your passionate enthusiasm and your savvy about organizing. One small example of your genius: back in 1996 a group of us were discussing setting up a “Hundred Club” for people who would pledge $100 a year. Betsy said, “Hundred Club? That doesn’t sound exciting. Let’s call it the Frances Perkins Club, it’ll be a big success!” And it was so. Don’t rest in peace, Betsy, organize!
Barb Burt
Posted at 14:30h, 06 FebruaryBetsy had a laugh that was mischievous and impossible to resist. Her sense of style and color went along with her vibrant personality. I worked with Betsy starting in 2000, when I was distraught that the presidential election was decided by the Supreme Court. Her effervescence and determined attitude made it seem like all was not lost — and she was right! Look at where her steadfast support and smart strategy helped us land today. Betsy was sophisticated and cultured, yet also unpretentious and down to earth. She loved life, and she wanted everyone else to have the opportunity to love their life, too. Above all, Betsy knew what mattered.
Bill Williamson
Posted at 16:07h, 06 FebruaryBetsy was a special person and will remain as a special memory from my time as chair of the Lincoln County Democrat Committee and beyond. She was a good friend. Some join an organization to attend and perhaps volunteer if asked. Betsy long before my time, became a true part of the organization and a de facto leader, organizer and benefactor in the very best sense. I learned that she often worked behind the scenes, much to the benefit of the Democratic party and our ideals. She is and will be sorely missed.