1924 – 2015
WATERFORD — Elizabeth R. Larsen, 90, of Waterford, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at her home.
Affectionately known as Betty, she was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Oct. 31, 1924, the daughter of Dennis W. and Frances E. Leeper Ryan. In 1941, she graduated from East Haven High School in Connecticut and later attended New Haven State Teachers College.
For many years, Betty worked as a secretary at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she would meet Harold Ludwig Larsen. The two married on Jan. 21, 1950, and started a family with five sons and two daughters. They loved vacationing in Maine and in 1981, Harold and Betty moved from Connecticut and settled on Papoose Pond in Waterford.
In Maine, Betty was very active in the local community, volunteering her time with the Good Shepherd Food-Bank and the lunch counter at Stephens Memorial Hospital. Longtime residents may remember Betty and Harold from the Waterford Community breakfasts — Betty cooked and Harold waited tables. She loved music and sang with local groups such as the Sweet Adelines and the Tune-Timers and she and Harold made many friends in the square dancing community.
She is survived by her brother, William Ryan of Branford, Conn.; her children, Janet Healey and husband, Paul, of Waterford, Richard and wife, Linda Z. Larsen, of Oxford, Kathy Esposito and husband, Charles, of Hamden, Conn., William Larsen of Hebron, Conn., Thomas Larsen and Kathy Floyd of Wakefield, R.I., Bob Larsen of Harrison, and Bruce Larsen and wife, Deborah, of Sutton, Mass.; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband of 47 years; brothers, Thomas Ryan and Dennis Ryan; and a daughter-in-law, Beth Larsen.
Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.
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