Elizabeth "Betty" (Whitney) Sprague

Elizabeth (“Betty”) Sprague,93,  beloved wife and mother, passed away in peace at Falmouth by the Sea on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.

She was born on October 2, 1925 to Lina (Mitchell) Whitney and Bernard Justin Whitney.  She was predeceased by her much beloved husband of 59 years, Warren Edgar Sprague, her three brothers, Justin, Thomas and John (“Jack”), five of her sisters, Carrie, Ruth, Bobbie, Priscilla and Martha, and one grandchild, Joel Sherwood.

Betty is survived by her sister Joan and her three adoring children and their spouses:  Daniel and Carol Sherwood of Rangeley, Maine, Stuart and Emily Sprague of Duxbury, Massachusetts and Nathan and Lisa Sprague of Portland, Maine.  She is also survived by five grandchildren, Rebecca (Sherwood) Doughty, Garrett and Seth Sprague, and Cameron and Calvin Sprague.  She is also survived by three great grandchildren, Katelyn, Kristyn and Nicholas Doughty.

During World War II, Betty worked at the South Portland shipyard as a welder, helping to build the “Liberty Ships” that would carry crucial supplies and cargo to and from Great Britain.  In the 50’s, she was employed by New England Telephone.  She finished up her work life spending 38 years in the foodservice sector of the Portland Public School system, finally retiring at the age of 84.

She was a big fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics.  She enjoyed playing golf and was a long-time member of the Riverside Golf Course.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  She loved high school and college sports and drama activities, particularly when her children and grandchildren were involved.  She would happily travel long distances to see them play and perform.  She was active in the community and a long-time member of the Woodford’s Congregational Church.  In later years, she and Warren spent much of the summer at their camp on Swan’s Island, Maine - their favorite place on earth.  Betty was always up for a glass of wine and some cheese at the end of the day.  She had a special relationship with her niece, Cindy Perkins.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Falmouth by the Sea for their care and attention during her residence and especially in her final days.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, October 25th from 4 -7pm at the A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland, Maine.   A funeral service will be held in the Chapel on Friday, October 26th at 9:30am at Woodford’s Congregational Church, 202 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine.  Interment will follow at 12:00 Noon at the Maine Veterans Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta, Maine.

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