Bette E. Liebler, 92, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in Punta Gorda.

Bette, as she preferred to be named, was born Betty J. Elvington, to the late Robert H. and Mary E. Elvington on July 10, 1931, in New Haven, Connecticut.  As a small child Bette studied concert piano, singing, dancing and acting. Her family even moved to NY for a few short years to allow her to continue her training.  Bette auditioned for and was cast as the understudy of Shirly Temple in the musical film “The little Princess”.  In JR High and High school Bette was a competition swimmer, diver and High Diver.  Bette graduated with Honors from St Mary’s High school in New Haven, CT then continued her education at UCONN where she was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and met her late husband “Bill”.

Bette Married Bill in 1951 and had 7 children.  Bette’s desire to care for others lead her to eventually acquire her Bachelors Degree and become a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1975.  Bette took great pride in her nursing career.  She retired after 28 years from Cushing Hospital in Framingham, MA where she cared for emotionally, mentally lost, confused, yet precious geriatric patients. She would often bring patients without family’s home for the weekends and holidays.

Of all her achievements in life, aside from her 7 children was her work and servitude at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Milford MA.  Bette was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, CCD Teacher as well as a member of the Army Rosary Crusade, Blue Army Crusade and F.I.R.E., With precious little time left for boredom or self, she still somehow; with Jesus leading the way, found time for daily Mass, family, and friends and of course begging for the poor.  Bette’s begging for the poor involved collecting cans from pizza shops, schools, clubs, parishiners and anyone she met which led her to become known as the “Bag Lady Beggar” for “Food for the poor”. Bette relocated from Massachusetts to Punta Gorda with her youngest daughter four years ago.

In addition to her parents, Bette was preceded in death by her beloved husband William M. Liebler in 1994; her dearest, lifelong friend Angela Castagnoli in 2015 who was like a sister to her; her own sister, Ann Chase Hooper in 2019; a son, Michael R. Liebler in 1990, and a daughter Mary Rose Murrin in 2023.

She is survived by her remaining children, William (Wife Leslie) Liebler of Stone Lake, Wisconsin, Susan E. Liebler of East Hartford, CT, Linda A. Hunt of Hillsboro, OR, Barbara E. (Husband John “Jake”) Kennedy of Colchester, CT, Elizabeth “Beth” (Husband Keith) Bennett of Punta Gorda, FL, daughter-in-law Marjorie Whitmore (Husband Michael R.) of East Hartford, CT., and Angela’s niece who was like a daughter, Debra “Debbie” Pettigrew of Westfield, MA, and her sister, Kelly; twenty grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, two nieces, two nephews, and a host of extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Roberson Funeral Homes’ Port Charlotte Chapel located at 2151 Tamiami Trail.  Traditional Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at San Antonio Catholic Church at 24445 Rampart Blvd located in the Deep Creek subdivision of Port Charlotte.  Further services and committal will be held in Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Bette’s name to Food for the Poor, Inc, the organization she supported, located at 6401 Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073-3602.  Thank you.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family.  Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.