WARREN — Elizabeth Forss Philbrook passed away into the presence of her savior surrounded by her family on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at her home 800 Eastern Road in Warren, Maine.

She was born Elizabeth Vieno Forss, on August 25, 1933 to Edward and Vieno Forss in Ashby, Mass.

She graduated from Ashby High School in 1951 and moved to Maine after her father bought the village market in Warren. She attended the University of Maine at Orono graduating in 1955 with an education degree in Home Economics. During her senior year she was one of 10 women who received the distinguished honor of All Maine Woman. The alumni website states: “Members of the society are distinguished leaders, scholars, and outstanding female role models, are active in community service, display MAINE spirit, and have the potential for continued service to UMaine”.

She lived up to those standards of “community service and outstanding female role model” through a 35 year long teaching career that began at Rockland high school and included Lincoln Academy, Waldoboro High School, Miller Grade School, Friendship Village School and ended as a Kindergarten teacher at the Warren Elementary in 1990. She was an active and faithful member for over 60 years at the Warren Congregation Church, a member of the sorority of Pi Beta Phi, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

In 1956 she married her “dream man” Raymond Warren Philbrook of Warren. They raised 3 children, Francie, David and Steven at their Four Rod Road home, where they had extensive gardens and raised livestock. She and Warren were loving and involved parents and grandparents to their 7 grandsons.

Betty lived a full and awarding life, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, a dear friend to many, and an active member of the community, she was the type of person every community needs. There’s no greater legacy than to have loved ones say her greatest gift was her love, which she expressed in multiple and myriad ways. Her life left this world a better place.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, Edward and Vieno Forss of Union; a sister, Jean Barbara Forss who died age 9 months; her husband of 56 years, Warren Philbrook; and daughter Francie Jean Philbrook of Manchester.

She is survived by her husband Clayton Collins of Warren; son David Philbrook and wife Robin of Waldoboro; son Steven Philbrook and wife Amy of Islesford; son in law Paul Giguere of Manchester; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren: grandson Caleb Philbrook and wife Brooke of Saco, grandsons Danny Giguere of Farmingdale and Gabriel Giguere of Readfield, grandson Abraham Philbrook and wife Katherine, and great granddaughter Penelope of Bar Harbor, grandson Peter Philbrook and wife Sarah, and great grandchildren Hesper and Jarvis, grandsons Isaac and Nathanael Philbrook of Islesford.

A service of Remembrance will be held Saturday, July 15, at 1 p.m., at the Second Congregational Church of Warren.

In lieu of gifts or flowers donations are encouraged to the Hospice Center:

Sussman House
Attn. Heidi McCaffery
40 Anchor Dr.
Rockport, ME 04856

Write on check in memo area: For Hospice Nursing Education