Betty Irene Lovering, 79, a resident of Deerfield for the last 41 years, died peacefully on January 15, 2015 with her loving husband, Richard (Dick) Lovering, at her side.

Betty spent the first 19 years of her life working on the family farm with her parents, siblings and cousins. It was a hard life that many experienced during the depression years, but the memories and stories were always about the hard work and fun she had with her family and relatives. Especially funny were the stories about her father, Winfred, and mother, Velma, and how much they enjoyed life and spending time with friends and family. Many of the stories included her siblings, Barbara, Virginia and Sonny, as well as cousins Kana, Rosemary, Terri and Judy. The kids all spent time living on the farm in addition to other children from family to foster and orphaned children that Betty’s parents would care for.

Betty attended Central High School in Manchester, where she met the love of her life, Dick Lovering, the man she would spend the rest of her life with. Upon graduating high school, Betty married Dick and traveled and lived in various parts of the world while Dick was serving in the U.S. Air Force for almost 20 years. The first few years included stays in Japan and Hawaii. During this time, Betty and Dick raised 3 kids, with Betty at times by herself as Dick traveled on temporary duty to various parts of the world. For a period of 12 months, while Dick was stationed in Vietnam, Betty and her 3 kids lived with her parents on the farm. It was a hard year for the family, but a time that will always hold fond memories of in our hearts.

After retirement from the Air Force, they built a house on a piece of land from the farm that was a wedding present from Betty’s parents. There, she enjoyed gardening, while Dick raised cattle and an occasional pig or two. For Betty, it was like being back on the farm. Betty always cared for others, and was always incredibly positive. She was dedicated to her parents and in-laws, and looked after them until they passed.

While living back in Deerfield, Betty worked in the Raymond School system for 18 years coordinating the lunch program in the primary school. She enjoyed her work and made several good friends, as well as helping out many of the kids over the years.

After retirement, they remained in Deerfield and also traveled to Florida in the winter. After a few years of winters in Florida, she missed her family and friends so they decided to stay in Deerfield year-round. They enjoyed taking trips with friends, sometimes even on motorcycles. Country music and Elvis Presley were her favorites; so many trips were planned to the Grand Ole Opry. Betty also enjoyed snowmobiling with friends for many years.

Betty was an incredible, caring and friendly person. She especially enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandchildren. Her talents were many, but amongst them, cooking was by far her best. She always made the best desserts and her pies were killer. Over the years there were many family outings at their house, with most having 60-70 people. She was a great entertainer and everyone loved being around her. Even during the last few years living with a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis, she managed to attend all important family events.

The Deerfield Fair was always an important event in Dick and Betty’s life. For many years they were both involved in the Deerfield Fair Association. Attending and working the Fair was a ritual that lasted for many years. Until recently, Betty hadn’t been to the Fair for many years, but this year her daughter Vicki convinced her to go. We are all so glad she decided to go, for it was her last time at the Fair!

She especially enjoyed her nephew, Paul Keyser, and his wife, Karen. Paul would often perform repairs around the house and they also enjoyed Sunday meals together. Betty’s cousin, Kana, and her daughter, Roxanne, were also very special to Betty. Betty’s niece, Rosemary, called her every day, always checking in to see how she was doing. Betty looked forward to her daily call.

Thursdays were probably the most important day of the week for Betty in her final years. Her dedicated daughter, Vicki, came down from Maine every Thursday. The ritual included attending doctor’s appointments, an every Thursday hair appointment and lunch. Betty loved Thursdays.

Betty’s husband, Dick, and the rest of her family would like to thank the doctors and nurses on the 5th floor at Elliott Hospital for the attentive care they provided Betty during the last days of her life.

Mom, we will miss you so much. You were such an inspiration and such a loving wife, mother and friend. You touched so many lives. You by far were the most caring person anyone every met! You loved everyone and everyone loved you!!!!

Betty is survived by her husband, Richard M. Lovering Sr. of Deerfield; a daughter, Vicki Hamblen, and her husband, Joseph, of Cape Elizabeth, ME; her sons, Richard M. Lovering Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Hollis, NH and Roger M. Lovering, of Moultonborough NH; seven grandchildren, Jason Hamblen, Becky Hamblen, Richard Lovering III, Cassandra Lovering, Vanessa Delegas, Christopher Lovering and Mackenzie Lovering; three great-grandchildren, Eve, Rose and Mae Lovering; a brother, Winfred Hutchinson, of Manchester; nieces, nephews and cousins, including Kana Langlois, of Litchfield, NH.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 27th at 1:30 p.m. in the Deerfield Bible Church, 9 Church St., Deerfield NH. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Betty’s name may be made to the New Hampshire Division of the Arthritis Foundation, 6 Chenell Dr., Suite 260, Concord, NH 03301. Condolences may be offered at www.mchughfuneralhome.com.