Betty Sears, 89, of Salem, NH passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on September 28, 2024.

Betty was raised in rural Afton, NY on a dairy farm. She was the youngest of four children of Henrietta Gertrude and Walter August Stohner. In addition to her parents, Betty was predeceased by her husband Elmo and brothers Floyd, Walter "Dick", and Harry. As a farm girl, she had a passion for riding horses; her favorites were Lady and Prince. She was involved with 4H and won ribbons at the fair. Betty graduated, as class valedictorian, from Afton High School in 1953 and was a member of a variety of activities and clubs. Betty attended Ridley Secretarial School in Binghamton, NY. She was a stenographer for the civil service working with the Air Force at General Electric in Johnson City, NY. It was there she met her future husband, Elmo D. Sears. They married in December 1954, a union that lasted 54 years until his death. Her husband's job took her to Burlington, VT, then to Salem, NH. After she raised her family, she worked as a store associate for Kmart in Salem for many years.

Betty enjoyed sewing that included making lovely clothing for her daughters. She created many crafts for the First Congregational Church annual Christmas Fair including detailed ornaments, plush stuffed animals and many knitted and crocheted items. She was a member of the church and the Philathea Group for 60 years. Betty enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, reading, playing board and card games and doing the daily puzzles in the newspaper. She also enjoyed baking, canning jams and pickles and gardening.

She is survived by daughters, Kathleen and husband Manuel Mendonca of Salem, NH and Mary Ellen and husband Greg Lockhart of East Greenwich, RI; grandchildren, Phillip, Michael, Kenneth and his significant other Colleen Keleher, Bradley and wife Paige and Karen.

Visitation will be Saturday, October 5th from 9:30 – 11:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St. Salem, NH. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty's name can be made to the First Congregational Church 15 Lawrence Rd. Salem, NH 03079 or to the Salem Animal Rescue League, 4 Sarl Dr. Salem, NH 03079.

To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com