Florene "Betty" O. Fagan, 86

GILFORD — Florence "Betty" O’Brien Fagan of Gilford, NH, passed away peacefully, at home, surrounded by her family on February 8, 2011.

Betty was born on September 21, 1924 in New York City, where she met and married Gerald A. Fagan, II, on September 18, 1948. They lived in Hudson, Ohio until 1974 and then relocated to Gilford where she has lived for the past 35 years, also spending time in Key West and Sarasota, FL.

Betty graduated with a BS from Manhattanville College and a BFA from Kent State University. For the last 65 years, she looked forward to the fall, when she would meet up with her Manhattanville classmates. Throughout her life, Betty worked to improve her craft , studying with other artists and teachers.

Betty was a nationally-know artist, with drawing and painting as her passion. She has artwork in both public and many private collections. Betty embraced the art world with friends from many generations and, through her paintings, her legacy will continue. Her courage, strength and ability to maintain a positive attitude were the qualities that so many people admired. When friends speak of Betty, the conversations will be filled with joy, smiles and reflections of what an extraordinary person she was.

Betty is survived by two sons and four daughters and their spouses, Gerry and Kathy Fagan, Gilford, NH, Devitt and Gary Liptak, Gilford, NH, Celeste and Gordon Craig, Sanbornton, NH, Margaret Fagan-Smith and Scott Smith, Cambridge, NY, Eileen (Ree) Fagan and Cheska, Bow, NH, and Peter Fagan and Ann Merlini, Ojai, CA., eight grandchildren, Sara and Victor Nicholas, Gilford, NH, Jeremiah and Haruka Dutch, Yokahama, Japan, Kevin and Rennie Liptak, Washington, DC, Nick Liptak, Brooklyn, NY, Gerry and Catie Craig, Sanbornton, NH and MaggieRose and Ellory Smith, Cambridge, NY and three great-grandchildren, Ellie and Jade Nicholas, Gilford, NH and Miaumi Kohama-Dutch, Yokahama, Japan.

Her husband, Gerald A Fagan, II predeceased Betty, on August 4, 2000.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Community Health and Hospice, 780 N. Main St., #1, Laconia, NH 03246 or to St. Joseph’s Indian School, 1301 North Main Street, Chamberlain, SD 57325.

A special thanks to Sharon Christenson for all of her help and support.