Bette J. Buchanan

March 25, 1928 - November 4, 2016

Lewiston- Bette J. Buchanan age 88 of Auburn, died Friday November 4, 2016 at Montello Manor. Born in Lewiston on March 25, 1928 the daughter of the late Alexander and Katherine (Ricker) Baumann. She was married to Robert E. Buchanan on June 16, 1951 and he died on December 5, 2008. Bette graduated from Lewiston High School, Class of 1945. She stared her college education at Columbia University in New York City and received her Bachelor’s Degree with highest honors from the University of Maine. Mrs. Buchanan was a teacher for the Auburn School Department from 1967 until 1983 and had been on the Board of Directors for the League of Women’s Voters, The Taylor Pond Yacht Club, LA Kiwanis, YWCA, and was a lifetime member of The Women’s Hospital Association. Bette was a parishioner of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher when her children were young. Mrs. Buchanan in her earlier years was a swimming instructor for the YMCA in Auburn and more recently was a member of the YMCA fitness group. She was also fond of playing bridge, having been a member of the Lew/Aub Tuesday Bridge Group for over 40 years. Bette was also involved with the theatre, she had been featured in many plays as well as directing and back stage work with the Community Little Theatre. While she was living in New York City Bette was a member of the Feagan Players and appeared in several off Broadway plays. Mrs. Buchanan is survived by three children; Mary A. Smith and husband Thomas of Litchfield, Thomas R. Buchanan of Falmouth and Andrew E. Buchanan and wife Denise of Auburn, five grandchildren; Catherine M. Smith of Randolph, Sarah J. Smith and fiancé Jeremy Douglass of Augusta, Bradley E. Buchanan and Meranda Pelletier of Clifton, Crystal W. Chandonnet and husband Benjamin of Hampstead, NH, and Justin L. Goulet of Lewiston, great grandchildren; Alexander T. Whitmore, Rebekka L. Buchanan, Sophia Leigh DeAngelo, Aislynn Goulet, Ryker Goulet, Katelyn Douglas and Kristen Douglas, two sister in laws; Martha Baumann and Glen Baumann, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters and their husbands; Mary E. Manfra and husband George Manfra and Catherine Willette and husband George “Buddy” Willette, two brothers; George A. Baumann and Michael Baumann, and she was also predeceased by her beloved cat “Victoria”. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com NOTICE Buchanan-Died in Lewiston Nov. 4th 2016. Bette J. age 88 of Auburn. Funeral services will be celebrated on Monday Nov. 7th at 2:00PM at the Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Bette’s memory may be made to the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society 55 Strawberry Avenue Lewiston, ME 04240. Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday Nov. 7th from 12 noon until time of service. Arrangements by Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway Lewiston, ME 04240. 784-6449.