White River Junction, VT – Elizabeth Ann Colt, 94, died on January 17, 2026 at home after a short illness. She was born in Concord NH, to George and Jennie Crutchfield and attended St. John’s High School, graduating with honors. She was accepted to the Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing in 1949. Betty met Dick Colt, who worked in the pathology lab. They were married in 1952 and raised their 4 children in Hanover, NH. Married for 67 years, they enjoyed grand and great grandchildren adventures, golf, skiing, and frequent travel to Europe, Mexico, and Canada.
Betty worked in a variety of jobs including as a charge nurse at MHMH, Director of Nursing at Hanover Terrace, dental office manager for Dr. Robert Keene, and sold real estate.
With an intrepid spirit, she learned to ski at age 35 and continued until age 88. Betty volunteered for years at David’s house, was a generous benefactor to many local non-profits, a juried member of the League of NH Arts & Crafts, a skilled quilter and knitter, loved gardening, birding, and nature, animals, especially her cats, daily spirited cribbage games and over 40 years of mahjong with her wednesday mahj mafia, Barbara Woodard and Jill Muntz.
In spite of life’s tribulations over the past 2 years, she met them with dignity, grace, and Yankee resolve. Betty was predeceased by Dick, and leaves 4 children, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, her treasured friend Margo Longacre, numerous friends and former neighbors. She was known for her warmth, friendliness, wit, building community, and skill at the stove. Thanks to the VNA for their compassionate care.
Services will be private.
Donations can be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society in Enfield, NH or the Vermont Center for Eco Studies in Norwich, VT.
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