SPRUCE HEAD — Betty J. Joseph, 93, died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the Breakwater Commons in Rockland.

Born in Rockland, February 7, 1931, she was the daughter of Donald and Gertrude Ladd Bickford. Educated locally, Betty was a graduate of Rockland High School. On June 20, 1951, she married John Joseph, and together, they made their home in Rockland to only later live in West Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Texas, and retired in Spruce Head, Maine.

Betty devoted her time to caring for her family. As her children grew, she developed a keen interest in educating herself on how to invest in stocks and continued until she passed, devouring the Wall Street Journal daily.

She began sewing in High School and worked part-time at Van Baalen’s to help put her husband through Maine Maritime Academy. In the early 1980’s, living in Connecticut, she became an avid crafter, making many beautiful fabric-lined baskets that she sold at craft fairs and antique shows throughout Connecticut and Maine. When they moved to Texas in 1985, she became an avid quilter as a member of the Houston Quilting Guild. Betty’s quick wit and loving nature will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She was predeceased by her husband in 2002; her son Brian Joseph in August of this year; and a sister-in-law, Adele Bickford.

Betty is survived by her sons Stephen Joseph and his wife Neva of Spruce Head, Alan Joseph and his wife Jane of Northeast Harbor; her daughter, MaryEllen Joseph of South Portland; her grandchildren, Andrew, Kate, John, David, Margaret, Arthur, Benjamin, Michael, and Julia; her great-grandchildren, Arlynd, Parker, Lydia Jane, Harper, Malcolm and Wheeler; her grand-pups, Hunter, Blue, and Nala; her brothers, Ronald Bickford and his wife Martha of Rockland, Richard Bickford of Freedom; her daughter-in-law Mary-Ann Joseph of Idaho Falls, Idaho; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Carrie Bickford and close friend Susie Curtis, who were very helpful and attentive to Betty over the years.

Betty’s life will be celebrated Friday, December 20, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with the Joseph family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Betty’s memory to either the Friends of Rockland Public Library, P.O. Box 764, Rockland, ME 04841; St. George Firefighters & Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860; MaineHealth Care at Home Hospice, 15 Industrial Park Road, Saco, ME 04072.