SOUTH THOMASTON — Elizabeth F. “Betty” Oakes, 66, died peacefully, July 4, 2015, surrounded by her loving family following a brief illness at the Sussman House in Rockport.

Born in Camden on Aug. 28, 1948, she was the daughter of Raymond D. and Virginia Dodge Scott. Educated locally, she attended Rockland schools, graduating in 1966 from Rockland High School. On Dec. 11, of that same year, Betty married her high school sweetheart, Bernard “Sonny” Oakes.

Betty started her career as a bookkeeper for Sim's Lobster, having started with them when she was just 15 years old. She later went to work for Jess’ Store, now known as the 'Keag. For the majority of her career, Betty worked at Van Baalens. She stayed with the firm through its change to Nautica, working for a total of 26 years until they closed in 2000. Her career then took her to Strong Agency, where she worked as a customer service representative. She worked there for 12 years until her illness forced her to stop, just days before her scheduled retirement.

Betty loved family gatherings, especially at the camp on Lermond Pond in Hope. She looked forward to an annual shopping trip to New Hampshire with her daughter and sister-in-law, and shopping and traveling with Sonny on their many trips, especially to Mardens. She loved the Christmas holiday, and took pleasure in her annual Christmas Eve party, and was especially proud to display her many holiday decorations, which included a beautiful Christmas Village.

Loyal and protective with friends and family, she would back anyone whom she needed to. You always knew where you stood with Betty. She loved her children and great-grandchildren fiercely and routinely checked in with them on Facebook or by phone, with family being able to “set their clocks” by these daily connections.

Predeceased by her husband; and her son, David Oakes; Betty is survived by her daughter, Terry Nelsen and her husband, Joe, of South Thomaston; her daughter-in-law, Tammy Oakes of Rockland; one sister, Gini “Punkin” Doyle and her husband, Mike, of South Thomaston; her sister-in-law, Susan Cran and her husband, Dale, of Owls Head; her brothers-in-law, David Oakes and his wife, Maggie, of Salem, N.H., and Peter Oakes and his wife, Sandy, of Pensicola, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Holly Nelsen of Hampton, Va., Joey Nelsen and Duncan Oakes, both of South Thomaston, Randi Randall and her husband, Jason, Amanda Oakes and her fiancé, Matt Brown, and Ashley Oakes, all of Rockland, and Amanda Coley and her fiancé, Joshua Wesling, of South Greensburg, Pa.; five great-grandchildren, Tyler and Sophie Randall, Brady Oakes, Erica Montgomery and Donald Campbell Jr.; her nieces and nephews and their families, Steven Peasley and his wife, Roxann, Kellie Bailey and her husband, Bruce, Tracy Willey and her husband, Jerry, Michelle Lee, April Oakes, Britany Oakes, Marie Oakes, Katie Oakes, Peter Oakes and Melvin Oakes; and her best friend, Gail Elliott of Owls Head.

Family and friends are invited to visit Tuesday, July 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, July 8 at 10 a.m. Private interment will be at Ocean View Cemetery in South Thomaston.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to the Sussman House, c/o PenBay Healthcare Foundation, 22 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841.