Elizabeth “Betty” Palmer Babin passed away peacefully in her home at Falmouth by the Sea on August 5th. She was surrounded by family and caregivers.
Betty was born on March 26th, 1925 in South Philadelphia to Joseph Thomas Palmer and Margaret Lloyd Palmer . She came from humble beginnings but vowed at an early age that she would live a life few could imagine - and she did exactly that.
Betty married John Babin upon his return from World War II, in 1944. They quickly had a daughter Elizabeth and soon after their son Johnny was born. The family settled in Churchville, PA.
John took a job with the local telephone company while Betty worked a variety of part-time jobs and raised their children. She prided herself on her thrift and investment acumen. She saved diligently and invested wisely, affording John the opportunity to take early retirement. The couple then spent the next several years traveling the world. Betty saw every continent, and most than once.They lived a lifetime in those early retirement years taking up such hobbies as bicycling, hiking, camping, and sailing. There was nothing Betty Babin couldn’t do.
Unfortunately Betty lost John to cancer in 1989. A devout Catholic, she met her second husband Bill Doyle while attending daily mass.The two were married in 1990 and enjoyed eight wonderful years together. Bill doted on Betty, treating her like a princess. Betty often remarked that she was indeed blessed to have found once-in-a-lifetime love twice.
In 2004 Betty moved to the Ann’s Choice retirement community where she enjoyed life and developed a wonderful group of friends.
Finally, in the summer of 2016 Betty moved to Falmouth by the Sea in Maine to be closer to her grandson Jad Dieterle, his wife April, and her three great grandsons - Jake, Hayden and Luke. She spent the last year enjoying near daily visits with Jad, April and the boys. Those boys were a constant source of joy for Betty - a fact she commented on with great frequency. They loved her dearly - for her caring nature, her inner beauty, her strong faith, and most notably her sharp wit. She taught them more than a thing or two… They will miss her terribly.
Betty was predeceased by her husbands John Babin and Bill Doyle; daughter Elizabeth McGlone; son Johnny Babin; her granddaughter Kara Dieterle; her siblings Joseph Palmer, Mary Renaud Taylor, Margaret Murphy, Alexander Palmer and Dorothy Palmer.
She is survived by her grandson Jad Dieterle and his wife April; her great grandsons Jake, Hayden and Luke Dieterle; her sister-in-law Dolores Koch and husband Harvey; her nephews Joseph Palmer and Thomas Palmer and wife Gerri; her nephew Robert Renaud; her son-in-law Gerry McGlone; her son-in-law Joseph Dieterle and his wife Peggy; her son-in-law Larry Doyle and his wife Peggy and their children Craig Doyle, Todd Doyle and Jennifer DeTroia and her husband Daryl.