THOMASTON — Arlene B. Paulsen passed away peacefully in Brunswick at the age of 90. She was born on September 2, 1933 and was the daughter of Donald E. and Esther Watts Tolman.

More widely known as “Betty” or “Betty Boop,” she grew up on a small farm in West Rockport, one of thirteen children. As a child on the family farm Betty developed a deep unconditional devotion to her family, an amazingly strong work ethic, and unabating humor; traits that she carried throughout her entire life and have spread to all who have known her. Quick, infectious, with a beautiful smile, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and generous hugs for all, and known for her numerous “Grammy-isms,” Betty easily made many life-long friends throughout the Rockland and Midcoast area.

Betty raised her three children in the Rockland area while working at the First National Grocery Store and by acting as a home caregiver to many older neighbors and friends. She and her ex-husband pinched pennies but always made sure their children had what they needed to successfully attend school. She loved her various pets and always made sure she carried dog and cat treats with her for any furry friend she met on any given day.

Betty also had a wonderful Second Act to her life when she married Donald Paulsen. They were together for over 37 years and the Paulsen farm and trucking business in South Thomaston never skipped a beat with Betty and Donald’s combined dedication. Betty was ever mindful of the beauty of life on the farm: sunsets over the St. George River, the array of appreciative birds who would feed regularly in view of the kitchen window. She wasn’t fazed by the fortitude required to corral the occasional stray bossie who had escaped the fence. Of course, there was always haying season, to which Betty always tackled with good humor, endless amounts of iced tea and bug spray and a true can-do spirit.

Highly talented in arts, crafts, knitting, and quilt making, Betty passed on her skills to her loving daughter, Darlene, and to her doting granddaughters, Nicole, Kati, and Holly. Many meticulously made quilts and blankets will be handed down to future generations. Betty was especially fond of the pop-in visits by her grandson Kevin (who usually had fresh lobster in hand).

Betty cherished every moment of her time on earth, especially gatherings with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and of course, too many friends to count. Her “made from scratch” cooking talents and holiday candy making will be missed by many – especially by her many friends at the Rocky Coast House in Thomaston. Betty was a proud and loyal member of the Littlefield Baptist Church and always had her Bible by her side. She relished the time she spent supporting Donald while he rose to the rank of Grand Commander of the Grand Commandry of Maine, earning her another nickname, Lady Bird.

Aside from her parents, Betty was predeceased by her husband, Donald Paulsen; her ex-husband, Adelbert Vinal Sr.; a brother, Harold Tolman; four sisters, Leola Vinal, Barbara Widdecombe, Mildred Wiley, Gloria Keadle; sisters-in-law, Hope Brown, Grace Chapman; two brothers-in-law, Harold Paulsen, Ralph Paulsen; and a great-granddaughter MacKenzie Harvie.

She is survived by her mother-in-law Doris Paulsen of Florida; two brothers-in-law, Richard Paulsen of St. George, John Paulsen of Florida; two sisters-in-law, Pat Ross and her husband Don of Warren, Bunny McLellan and her husband James of Florida; two sons, Adelbert Vinal Jr. and his wife Marilyn of Tenants Harbor, David Vinal and his wife Patty of Warren; daughter Darlene Dudley and her husband Walter of Waldoboro; former daughters-in-law, Ruth Walsh and her husband Mark of South Portland, Marilyn Wilson and her husband Donnie of Tenants Harbor; grandchildren, Nicole Vinal and Jason Harvie of Brunswick, Kati and David Hillgrove of Cushing, Holly and Jason Markwith of Warren, Karel Young of Warren, Kevin Vinal of Tenants Harbor, Helen Walsh of South Portland; great-grandchildren Evangeline and Maxwell Harvie, Olivia Hillgrove, Nadia and Hawke Markwith, Shyanne and Mya Young and Zayden Bonzagni; sisters, Maxine King, Geraldine Barker; and brothers, Alfred Tolman, Ernest Tolman, Lloyd Tolman, Paul Tolman, Richard Tolman.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held Friday, October 13, 2023, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.

To share a memory, photo or condolence with Betty’s family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.