ROCKLAND — Betty L. Freeman, 77, died peacefully Oct. 30, 2014, at her home, with her loving husband at her side, following an extended illness.

Born in Union on Sept. 30, 1937, she was the daughter of Richard and Martha Gordon Austin. Educated locally, she was a 1955 graduate of Union High School.

Following high school, Betty married Richard C. Freeman. Together they made their home in Rockland. While her children were young, Betty was a devoted stay-at-home mother. She was always proud of her two sons, sharing in their accomplishments and making them her number one priority. As they grew and started school, she worked a few years as a housekeeper for local families. Later she began her career with Pen Bay Medical Center, working in the housekeeping department for more than 23 years.

Betty was an avid hunter. After being taught to shoot by her husband, she was a very successful deer hunter, often hunting at the Rockland Bog. At one point, Betty held the State Championship in .22 -caliber rifle and benchrest shooting. Hunting, and being in nature, was a sport she passed on to her boys as well. Betty has been a member of the NRA since 1965, and the Pine Hill Shooting Club, from its inception to its closing.

Betty also had a soft spot in her heart for her four-legged babies, especially her dog Pooch. Betty will be missed by all who loved her.

Betty is survived by her loving husband, Richard of Rockland; her sons, Kevin Freeman and his wife, LeeAnn, of Weeks Mills, and Scott Freeman and his wife, Diana, of Winterport; her brothers, Robert Austin and his wife, Judy, of Peabody, Mass., and Roger Austin of Brooksville, Fla.; and two grandchildren, Anthony Freeman and Rachel Freeman.

A celebration of her life will be held Monday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. Interment will follow at Achorn Cemetery. A reception will follow at 104 Limerock in Rockland.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either The National Rifle Association, c/o N.R.A. Processing Center, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648; or AIO Food Pantry, 70 Thomaston Street, Rockland, ME 04841; or St. Bernard's Soup Kitchen, c/o St. Brenden the Navigator Parish, 7 Union Street, Camden, ME 04843.