Elizabeth “Betty” Baptie died peacefully at her home on August 24, 2016. She was born August 8, 1923 in New London, CT, the second daughter of Harry and Marion Morse. She is survived by all her children; Joan Barkan (John), Sandra Baptie (Lawrence Linder), Susan Swan (Ripley), Robert Baptie (Karen), and Kate Silverness (Scott), 10 grandchildren; Andrew, Will and Phoebe Barkan, Kate Cooper, Jane Fennelly, Zoe Linder-Baptie, Elizabeth and Alexandra Baptie, Ian and Erik Silverness and 4 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years R. Bruce Baptie, and her sisters Sally Castanza and Catherine Morse.

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Betty grew up in her family home on Ocean Avenue, in New London, attended Smith College, but when WWII interrupted her studies she moved back home where she worked at Electric Boat, wiring submarines as an electrician’s helper. She completed her college degree at Connecticut College and met her future husband on a blind date at a Yale College. Betty and Bruce became longtime residents of North Haven, where they raised their 5 children and were active in the community (members of High Lane Club Tennis, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Hamden Art League and serving on the North Haven Library and Cemetery Commissions). Betty was proud of her American heritage and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. 

 

An accomplished tennis player with numerous trophies including Senior Ladies Championship and Open Ladies Doubles, Betty was also the Connecticut Chair for the Wightman Cup Team, and taught tennis for the North Haven recreation program.  In recent years, she was known as a constructive critic of North Haven politics. An art lover and weekend water colorist, Betty was an active participant in the Hamden Art League. Betty loved to entertain and was an excellent homemaker, traveled the world, played duplicate bridge in the New Haven league, grew roses, bowled, was a talented craftsperson, beach comber, and canoe paddler.  Betty belonged to an era of big family celebrations, thank you notes, and nostalgia. She lived a happy and full life and will be truly missed by her family and friends.

Memorial service will be held Saturday Sept. 3, 10AM, at St John's Episcopal Church, North Haven. Lunch reception to follow. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Church Endowment Fund, 3 Trumbull Place North Haven, CT 06473.