Betty Thorn Alderson

ORONO – Betty Thorn (McCluer) Alderson, 82, passed away April 5, 2010, at her home. She was born June 17, 1927, in Fairfield, Va., to James and Emma (Borthwick) McCluer. Her father passed away when she was only two and she was then raised by her mother and new father, A. Campbell Heizer. Betty lived in Fairfield, Staunton and Lexington, Va., and attended Mary Baldwin College before moving to Manhattan, N.Y., and becoming a stewardess for American and later, National Airlines. There she met and married Thomas Gent Alderson and moved to Key Biscayne, Fla., eventually retiring to the mountains of North Carolina and finally to Maine. Betty was a beautiful and kind soul who loved her family, reading, gardening and music, especially jazz. She loved her many pets and animals of all kinds, including possums and armadillos in Southern Florida, the birds of North Carolina and the many deer that frequented her homesite in Orono. Betty enjoyed the adventures and companionship of many cherished friends throughout the years, and travel to Europe, Hawaii and other islands, and Alaska via the ALCAN highway. She loved to hear of the pursuits, challenges and accomplishments of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sister, Eugenia Redard; her “double-first” cousins, William Borthwick and Mary Martha McCluer; three children, Tom Alderson of Nevada City, Calif., Betty Ingraham of Orono and Bill Alderson, of Flagler Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She will be buried alongside her husband. Services will be held in late June at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Animal Orphanage, 71 Airport Road, Old Town, ME 04468.