Elinor M. Bettencourt

Elinor M. Bettencourt, 87, longtime resident of Milford, NH, died on June 18, 2015 at the Hillsborough County Nursing Home in Goffstown, NH after a period of declining health. She was born in Clinton, MA on December 11, 1927, daughter of Arthur and Margaret (McCann) Jewett. She was raised and educated in Clinton, MA and made her home there for many years. In 1973 she married the love of her life, Ralph Bettencourt, and moved to Los Angeles where they resided for more than twenty years. While in Los Angeles, Elinor was very active in the community. She was most proud of her part in establishing a support group for breast cancer survivors. Also of particular interest to Elinor was the community concert series in which she volunteered. Elinor and Ralph traveled extensively. They particularly enjoyed leisurely crossing the United States several times. Eventually, they returned to New England to be closer to family. She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, Milford. Mrs. Bettencourt was predeceased by her husband, Ralph I. Bettencourt, Sr., who died in 1995, her infant sister, Lorraine, and brothers Russell and Kenneth Jewett. She leaves her daughter, Judith E. Savage of Milford, NH; her son, Gerald D. Baillie of Sutton, MA; two brothers, Donald Jewett of Sterling, MA and Alan Jewett of Sandwich, MA , four stepchildren: Ralph I. Bettencourt, Jr., Paul Bettencourt, Bradford Bettencourt and Rhonda Gillham. Grandchildren: Sara and Ian Baillie, Krista Jones, Karrie Ezequelle and Keith Savage, six loving Great Grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. There are no visiting hours. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 24th at 9:30 am in St. Patrick’s Church, 34 Amherst Street, Milford, NH. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH.