Member of Union Congregational Church for over 55 years
NORTH READING — Elizabeth Andrews “Betty” Rideout, 88, of North Reading, died at Winchester Hospital on Thursday, May 21, following a brief illness.
Betty was born in Somerville on June 5, 1926, the daughter of the late Pearl K. and Marguerite (Taylor) Andrews.
Raised in Belmont, Betty was a graduate of Belmont High School, Class of 1944. In her youth, she was active in the Girl Scouts and the Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
A 1947 graduate of McLean Hospital School of Nursing, Betty was able to attend nursing school through the Cadet Nurse Corps. As a Registered Nurse, she was employed as a Night Supervisor at McLean Hospital, a school nurse in the North Reading school system and as a charge nurse at the former Green Grove Nursing Home in North Reading. Betty met her husband, John B. Rideout, when they were both nursing students at McLean Hospital. They married on Aug. 6, 1949 and were happily married for 56 years, until John’s passing in 2006.
After her retirement, Betty utilized her nursing background as a volunteer for over 20 years at Winchester Hospital. Through her volunteering, Betty made many friends and enjoyed connecting with people sharing a kind word, a supportive presence and smile of assurance.
Betty was a member of the Union Congregational Church in North Reading for over 55 years. She held positions on the Church Council, the House Committee, the Pastoral Search Committee, as well as serving as a Deacon and a Confirmation Mentor. Betty was an active member of Faith Circle and coordinated their rummage sales and well as their table at the annual Church Fair.
Betty was a 50-year member and Past Worthy Matron of Mount Carmel Chapter No. 230, Order of the Eastern Star in North Reading, a member of the North Reading Historical and Antiquarian Society and served as a Camp Nurse for the Camp Fire Girls at Harold Parker State Forest. Since 1976, Betty’s participation in the Nurse’s Health Study was very important to her.
Betty worked in her community through Christian Community Service, helping coordinate the mission of the local food pantry. Through her work in the schools, she participated as the local outreach representative for the Salvation Army.
With her late husband John, she enjoyed traveling and camping. In their travels, they saw much of New England, Pennsylvania, New York, Eastern Canada and drove cross-country to Arkansas. They attended many of John’s Coast Guard Patrol Frigate reunions across the U.S. and they enjoyed cruising to destinations such as Alaska, Bermuda and the Caribbean. In Europe, a favorite trip was their 40th anniversary visit to Scotland and the Orkney Islands.
Additionally, Betty and John vacationed at their second home in South Chatham, where Betty would take her grandchildren on special excursions to the beach and the penny candy store. Betty took joy in playing board games with her beloved grandchildren and attending many of their sporting, theater and school events.
Betty is survived by her children, Judith (Rideout) Brown her husband, Stephen of Merrimack, N.H. and Mark A. Rideout and his wife Kathleen of Somersworth, N.H. She was Mimi to her grandchildren, Kimberley (Brown) Fasano and her husband Brian, Meredith Brown, Ryan Brown and his wife Margaret; Katelyn (Rideout) Carrington and her husband, Matthew, Tyler Rideout and his wife, Angela, and Christopher Rideout; three great–grandchildren: John S. Fasano, Eric B. Fasano, and Tucker W. Brown. Betty was the sister of the late Alexander T. Andrews, and she is survived by her sister–in–law Sheila M. Andrews and her nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St., North Reading. Rev. Dr. Richard Hughes will officiate. A collation will immediately follow in the church hall. As we celebrate Betty’s life, join us in wearing her favorite color, red.
Family flowers only. For those who desire, memorial donations may be made to the organizations that were dear to Betty’s heart: Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St., North Reading MA 01864; Friends of Winchester Hospital, 41 Highland Ave., Winchester MA 01890; and Christian Community Service, P. O. Box 626, North Reading MA 01864.
The Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading is in charge of arrangements. www.croswellfuneralhome.com
