CAMDEN — Bette Lou McFarland passed away on July 16, 2026, following a sudden and unexpected medical event. In the end it was her beautiful heart that failed her, but not before beating out a lifetime of love and kindness that will endure for generations.   She was 81.                                               

Born on September 13, 1944, Bette was the adopted daughter of Charles and Gladys Cole Ronco. She grew up in Guilford and Camden, Maine, graduating from Camden High School in 1962. So many of the early friendships she forged remain strong to this day, a great credit to her nurturing ways. 

She married her high school sweetheart, Roscoe Birdnell McFarland III, on October 10, 1964. They built a house in Camden, on land gifted to them by Roscoe’s mother, Esther McFarland. Here they raised two children, Amy Sue and Roscoe IV. Their home is filled with memories of a marriage well lived and a family well loved. 

Bette went to work at the Knox Hospital laboratory fresh out of high school, benefiting from on-the-job training and night school classes. As later required by the State of Maine, she passed the test to become a registered laboratory technician. Over the course of her 50-year career, serving mostly at Pen Bay Medical Center, Bette was regarded as an exceptional phlebotomist.

Bette was deeply involved in her children’s lives and their enrichment, volunteering as a Knox-Lincoln Cooperative Extension 4-H leader, teaching afterschool craft classes at the Camden YMCA, helping to organize a sports boosters program for the Camden-Rockport school district, and being the mom who took her kids and their friends to headliner concerts in Portland before they could drive themselves. Together with Roscoe, she was the number one fan of every activity her kids and grandchildren pursued, and they are all stronger and wiser through her encouragement and care.

Bette was a talented miniaturist, building and decorating countless doll houses and themed break-away boxes over many years. She also mastered scrapbooking, re-purposed wooden spools (relics from the Knox Woolen Mill) into countless hand-painted ornaments, and knit the most beautiful and rugged Icelandic sweaters, hats, and Christmas stockings for her family.

Travel was a life-long passion. Seeded by money left from her parents in the 1970s, Bette gifted her family with the ability to expand their horizons well beyond the State of Maine. Via planes, trains, tour buses, camper trailers, and cruise ships too, Bette loved exploring new places, meeting people, and bringing home souvenirs. One of her customary travel rituals was to seek a haircut from a local salon, just for the intrigue.

Never one to sit idly by, Bette organized her high school class reunions, bowled in Camden’s candlepin league, took up square dancing, tried her hand at softball, and played cards and word games regularly with friends. She also hosted annual Christmas parties complete with a “trash or treasure tree” that always left people with laughter and a smile.

She was a loyal community volunteer for many local organizations over the years, including Coastal Opportunities’ Cash for Clothes Sale, Maine Public Broadcasting’s Great TV Auction, the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Heavenly Threads Thrift Shop.

She had a nose for bargains and like-minded friends with whom she shared many shopping trips. Occasionally they’d change course and bring their husbands along for unforgettable travel adventures. Many of these friends have been meeting over morning coffee for decades. 

Every December she wrote Christmas cards that included a year-end wrap-up letter, documenting each joy and sorrow as a way to preserve the memories she shared with her wide circle of friends and loving family.

In writing her story through a series of 52 weekly prompts this past year, Bette observed, “friends and family are my life’s simple pleasures.” Time and again, how freely and easily she gave of herself so that others might also know these joys. She was straightforward and always sought happiness and well-being for all.

A longtime and very active member of the First Congregational Church of Camden, her faith was strong. In her final hours on this earth, she had the courage to draw the line when the path turned darkest, showing no doubt in the lighted way that awaited her. Bette remains a blessing to so many, and she will be missed beyond measure.

She was predeceased by her parents, Glad and Charlie Ronco, and her mother-in-law, Esther McFarland. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Roscoe; her daughter, Amy Rollins (husband Peter Rollins); her son Ross; her grandchildren, Erin Rollins (husband Logan Leach), Benjamin Rollins, Roscoe B McFarland V, Amanda McFarland, and Emma McFarland; and a great grandson soon to be born. And also very much in the family circle, former daughter-in-law Diana Marin, “adopted” granddaughter Andrea Arguelo (wife Stacy Hood), and their daughter, Athena.

Bette’s family would like to thank the teams of Pen Bay Hospital, LifeFlight of Maine, and Maine Medical Center for the exceptional care they provided.  

A Celebration of Bette’s life will be held at the First Congregational Church, 55 Elm Street, Camden on Saturday, September 19 at 10:30 a.m., with a reception to follow. 

Memorial gifts may be made to Coastal Opportunities, www.coastalopportunities.org, or Camden Area Christian Food Pantry, www.camdenareachristianfoodpantry.org. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.