Elizabeth J. "Bettye" (Silke) Richard

ALLENSTOWN-Mrs. Elizabeth J. “Bettye” (Silke) Richard, 92, a longtime resident of Allenstown, passed away on April 30, 2018 in Concord Hospital after a period of declining health.

Born in Waltham, MA, Bettye was the daughter of the late Thomas J. and Hazel K. (Healey) Silke.  She came to Suncook at the age of 12 and remained there for most of her life.

Prior to her retirement, she spent over 25 years as the Assistant Librarian at the Allenstown Public Library. 

Bettye and her husband were participants in the Friends foster grandparent program and she also volunteered at the Birthright in Concord.  She was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church for over 70 years and was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne.  She also participated in the St. Padre Pio Perpetual Adoration Group at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Concord.

She always had kind word for everyone, had a sharp wit and sense of humor. She was an avid reader, enjoyed music and spending time with her family.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Norman M. Richard with whom she celebrated 45 Years of marriage, and her great-grandsons, Carter Richard and Maxwell Erickson.

She is survived by her children: Thomas Richard and his wife Faith of Lyman, ME, Karen Towne and her husband Matthew of Barrington, Anne-Marie Reed and her husband David of Rochester and Timothy Richard and his partner Dana Cook of Nashua.  She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren, Jay, Jennifer, Sarah, Benjamin, Devin, and Jason and 9 great grandchildren, as well as her sister in law Germaine Towle, two cousins, Lee Lundin and Barbara Silke and many nieces and nephews.

Calling Hours will be held on Wednesday, May 9th from 5 to 8 P.M. in the Petit-Roan Funeral Home 167 Main St. in Pembroke.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 10th at 10 A.M. in St. John the Baptist Church in Allenstown.  Burial will follow in St. John the Baptist Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Bettye’s memory may be sent to The American Heart Association (online) and PO Box 417005 Boston, MA 02241-7005 or The New Hampshire Food Bank 700 East Industrial Park Drive Manchester, NH 03109.  To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.petitroan.com

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