Elizabeth Laliberte

The Extraordinary Life of Elizabeth Laliberte To love and be loved is the cornerstone of a life well lived and so spoke volumes about Bette Laliberte. Bette was born in 1934 and raised in the bucolic New England town of Deep River, Connecticut to the late Silvio Zanni and the late Dorothy Janoski. Bette adorded her Connecticut roots; summers in the ocean, the magic of autumn foliage, and winters first snow. Each year of her life was anticipated and cherished. Upon graduating Valley Regional High School she joined the Navy where she met the love of her life, Arthur Laliberte. She was just 19 when they married and 58 years later they were still absolutely crazy about each other. They raised their three sons: Glenn (wife Bess), Brian (wife Delores), Craig (wife Laurie) and their much anticipated daughter Beth (husband Tony) in Chester, Connecticut. Bette was an exemplary mother who loved each one of her children unconditionally, celebrating the strengths as their greatest cheerleader. She would love to brag about how much fun it was raising her kids and how successful they all had become as adults. She had worked at the local pharmacy and was known for her ease in frequent conversations and gentle nature, even with strangers. People would stop by the pharmacy just to say "Hi" to Bette even if they didn't need anything. Bette and Art retired to Hilton Head, South Carolina 18 years ago and so loved every second of their years together. Bette's friends, too numerous to list but written on her heart, recognized her incredible loyalty. She was affectionately referred to as the "Mayor" of Sun City Hilton Head. She was dedicated to making others feel loved and valued. Bette's family wishes to thank her "Hilton Head Family" that stood by her in her difficult final days. Bette's pinnacle of joy came with the births of her six grandchildren. Kara, Alissa, Matthew, Carly, Alexis, and Paige were the center of her universe. The sun would rise and set around, as Bette would say, "the most beautiful, smartest, talented, and accomplished" group of young people she would ever know. She beamed with pride with the coming of every phase of their lives always having an inexhaustible supply of energy and entertainment (ice cream and pie) while they were in her presence. She and Art flew all over the country to their high school and college graduations and to see their eldest grandchild transition from Miss to Mrs. The grandkids worshiped and will deeply miss their "Grammie." Bette and Art lived for planning summer family reunions to the Outer Banks and Hilton Head Island. A million memories ensued while watching endless Red Sox games. Besides wonderful travels with friends they loved to visit "the kids" in Connecticut, Michigan, and California. The planes just couldn't get her there fast enough. On Christmas Eve 2004 all her children and grandchildren flew to Hilton Head and ambushed Bette and Art with a surprise 50th wedding anniversrary celebration and vow renewal. Even their Priest was in on it. They were in state of ecstatic shock and Bette would chalk that singular event up to being "one of the greatest highlights" of her life. "Just being together" was the most important thing in the world to her. Sadly just eight months later they would lose their eldest son, Glenn, to cancer. Although Bette and Art managed to go on, this loss tore a piece of Bette's heart and sent it on with her beloved son. Bette's signature gift of joy shown through her smiling, laughter, and kidding around will never be forgotten. Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of the many who had the privilege of loving her. Most of all Bette's family requests that you honor her life and memory by bringing more love, laughter, and kindness into this world. Her profound imprint will be felt forever. The family requests memorial gifts be made to the Hilton Head Humane Association, P.O. Box 21790, Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 in memory of Elizabeth Laliberte. Memorial Service at 11:00 am, Friday, May 24, 2013 at Sauls Funeral Home, 90 Simmonsville Rd., Bluffton.