HARDWICK – Betty Jean (Ainsworth) Dukette, 94, of Hardwick, passed away peacefully on February 14, at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin.
Born July 11, 1931, in Greensboro Bend, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Gladys (Bedell) Ainsworth.
She attended school in West Danville for eight years and graduated from Danville High School in June 1949, as valedictorian of her class. She attended Lyndon State College for one year and then went to work in the Danville General Store.
She is predeceased by husbands Elwyn John Hovey and Everett Paul Dukette, daughter Mary Jean (Hovey) Jones, and son James Edward Dukette.
Betty was active within the United Church of Hardwick since 1952, serving on the Leah Marshall Committee, the Diaconate Board, Women’s Fellowship, Circle No. 8, served in various secretary and treasurer roles, devotional leader and taught Sunday School for more than 39 years.
In addition, Betty was highly active in the Hardwick community, including starting a Girl Scout troop, assisting with a local 4-H Group, member of the American Legion Post No. 7 Auxiliary. She worked at the Hardwick Hospital, the Hardwick Academy as office secretary to the principal, ran a home-based Montgomery Ward sales agency from her home, and at Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union. Betty was assistant town clerk in Hardwick for more than 14 years, until her retirement.
Betty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Marc and Denise Dukette of Vergennes; a son-in-law Peter Jones of Mesa, Ariz.; step-daughters Nancy Tassey of Calais and Mary Jo Dukette of Montpelier; two grandchildren Robert Benjamin (Ashlee) of Murray, Utah, and Bonnie Benjamin of Mesa, Ariz.; a step- grand-daughter Kristen Darcy of Montpelier; two step- great grand-daughters Ella and Lily Darcy of Montpelier. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren: Aspen, Cy, Hawthorn and Hazel Benjamin of Murray, Utah; Jessica Benjamin, of Mesa, Ariz., Derek Dellarco of Mesa, Ariz., Amanda Benjamin of New York City, Owen Lamb of Mesa, Ariz., and Jayden (Benjamin) Alexander of Maricopa, Ariz.
Visiting hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 27, at the United Church of Hardwick with Pastor Avril Cochran officiating. Burial will be held later in the spring in the Main Street Cemetery in Hardwick.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the United Church of Hardwick, Lift Chair Fund, P.O. Box 396, Hardwick, VT 05843.
Arrangements are in the care of Dian R. Holcomb, of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick. Online condolences are at northernvermontfuneralservice.com
Thank you for this wonderful obituary. Mom, Betty Dukette, was the most beautiful human being one could share time with in this life.