Elizabeth (Betty) Haines Welles, 93, died May 1 in the loving arms of her family at the home she shared with her daughter, Hon. Cathy Welles Cook in Mystic.
She was married in 1943 to the love of her life, Russell Edward Welles, who predeceased her. She is survived by her three children, Dr. Richard A. Welles of Astoria, NY, Hon. Catherine W. Cook of Mystic and Robert E. Welles and wife Margaret (Peg) of Ledyard, CT, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Rockland, Maine, Betty came to Mystic as a young child, daughter of Roy Stacy Haines and Hazel Bistrup Haines. She was a graduate of Robert E. Fitch High, Class of 1941. Her brothers, who predeceased her, Charles Melvin Haines, Alfred B. Haines, Richard V. Haines and Edward T. Haines and their families lived in Mystic close to Betty and Russ. Russ and Betty established the successful Mayflower Restaurant, on East Main Street in Mystic and after the flooding of Hurricane Carol in 1954, on Route 27. They hosted Mystic Lions Club meetings and were known for their parties at the restaurant and at their home.
She trained Girl Scouts leaders across the state. She loved taking her troop of deaf Girl Scouts from the Mystic Oral School camping and on trips.
Betty pioneered the position of Teacher Aide at Mystic’s S.B.Butler School where she team taught hundreds of students. She was known for her creative handmade teaching tools to help children with challenges. She was an avid knitter, crafting a lovely sweater every Christmas for each family member. Later, she used her talents to fashion hundreds of items for the Mystic Congregational Church bazaars.
Betty loved music, sang in choirs, soloed on Christmas Eve, and played the bells at Mystic Congregational Church. She sang in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, and at Carnegie Hall. She hummed her last breaths as if tuning up for the angel choir.
Betty will be sorely missed by her family and friends. But her life lessons for all, her unconditional love and optimistic spirit will live on.
A Celebration of Betty’s Life will be at the Mystic Congregational Church at 10am on Saturday May 14th. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Groton Special Olympics Program, Groton Parks and Rec, 27 Spicer Av, Noank, CT 06340; Girl Scouts of Connecticut at http://www.gsofct.org/ or to the Mystic Congregational Church.
To share a message of condolence or remembrance with her family, please click the link below. The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic is assisting the family.