Monroe - Rhoda Elizabeth “Betty/Mim” McAlpine, 82, our wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died November 10, 2015, at Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast with her loving family by her side. She was born March 30, 1933, in Newburgh, the daughter of William H. and Helen (Whitcomb) Estey. Rhoda married her husband, Lawrence “Bud” McAlpine in 1952. In 1955, they moved to Monroe to take over the operation of the family farm. She lived in that farm house for 60 years. Betty owned a grocery store in Searsport, a restaurant and hardware store in Unity. Betty enjoyed playing cards, beano, and harness racing. The two most important things in Betty’s life were cooking and family. She always had cookies, brownies, pies or donuts for anyone who stopped by. Over the years, Betty provided the local service organizations such as the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Veterans’ organization and many more with hundreds of her donuts and other baked goods that the clubs requested. Betty was truly an exceptional woman, kind and understanding, always willing to lend a hand. She was a tough competitor, strong in her convictions, protective of her children with the need to control. In addition to her parents and husband, Betty was predeceased by her sister, Charlene. She is survived by her three children, Larry McAlpine (Kathy), Linda Clark (Charlie) and Jerry McAlpine; grandchildren, Chris (Jolena)Shue, Karrie (Joe) Saltalamacia, Stephanie (Zac) Eklund, Amy (Alan) Orcutt, Garret (Ashley) McAlpine, Kristen McAlpine McNutt, Katie (Joe) McAlpine and Bud (Chelsea) McAlpine; great grandchildren, Andrew, Alex, Allison, Emma, Alannah, Sydney, Jayden, Aubrey, Addy, Abel and Elizabeth “Lilly”; a sister, Marise Dunton, and a brother, William Estey and his wife Sharon. She is also survived by her “adopted” daughters, Dianne, Wanda, and Marilyn; several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Saturday, November 14, 2015, at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 45 Western Ave., Hampden. A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2015, at the Monroe Community Church, 28 W. Main St., Monroe with the Rev. Suzie Gowie, officiating. Interment will be in the Harmony Place Cemetery, Monroe. The family invites family and friends to join them after the service for refreshments downstairs at the church.
Those wishing to remember Betty , may make gifts in her memory to the Ronald McDonald House, 654 State St., Bangor, Maine 04401 or the Monroe Community Church Building Fund, PO Box 805, Monroe, Maine 04951. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.