Obituary of Elizabeth Ann Bush

Elizabeth (Crawford) “Bettie” Bush died peacefully in Brewer on January 29, 2025. Born in Bangor on May 17, 1934, she was the daughter of Douglas H. Crawford and Priscilla (Babcock) Crawford. Bettie was a graduate of John Bapst Memorial High School (class of 1952). During this time, she worked for J. J. Newberrys, Garland Street Pharmacy, and as a Dental Assistant for George P. Gunn, D.M.D. After high school she continued this work as a Dental Assistant for Armand S. Andrle, D.D.S. She was the Past President of the Bangor Dental Assistants Association.

In 1955, she married Francis J. (Joe) Bush and moved to Dexter, where she became very active in the community. Selfless and eager to volunteer her time, she belonged to many organizations including: The Daughters of Isabella, the Dexter Jayceettes, the Dexter Fire Department’s Auxiliary, and the Dexter Literary Club, among others. The best group of all, her beloved bridge group, she was a member of for twenty-five years. Residing on Maple Street in Dexter for most of the year, Bettie and her family spent many wonderful summers at their cottage on Lake Wassookeag. The site of many memories, it was there that she and Joe taught their children to swim, sail, fish, explore with curiosity, and entertain with warmth and generosity. In 1966, she and Joe bought Dexter Pharmacy and ran it until 1977. During this time, Bettie was the bookkeeper and buyer for the store. In 1981, Bettie and Joe moved to the beautiful home that they designed and built together at Howard’s Head in Tenants Harbor. While residing there, Bettie continued to volunteer her time as a member of the Jackson Memorial Library where she served on the Book Selection Committee.

Most of all, Bettie was a devoted and loving wife, mother and friend who had a passion for life. She was wonderfully spontaneous—quick to hit the dance floor, suggest an impromptu Sunday drive, organize a picnic or add extra places to the dinner table for family and friends. Her love of music (jazz in particular) she passed down to her three children by filling the house with song. She was immensely proud of her family heritage and an Irish Blessing always hung in her house. Those favorite words, the countless lessons you taught us, and the love that you shared Mom, we will carry with us always.

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Bettie is predeceased by her loving husband of sixty-nine years, Joe, as well as her much beloved parents and her brothers John H. Crawford and James E. Crawford. She leaves her son Francis J. and wife Sandra; her daughter Anne Marie; her son, John D.; her grandson John Crawford Bush, and her brothers; Michael P. Crawford and William F. Crawford.

There will be a funeral this summer with a date and place to be announced at a later date.