In Loving Memory of Mary Elizabeth Goss “Betty”
August 7, 1927 - March 19, 2024
LACONIA ---- Mary Elizabeth Goss passed peacefully on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the age of 96.
Betty was born in Laconia, NH, on August 7, 1927, to Harry Lowell Bryant and Thelma Mae (Pickering) Bryant.
Betty lived in Laconia all her life. She attended Laconia schools and graduated from North Hampton College in 1945. Betty met her future husband, Arnold, when she was only three years old. As children, they would play together, and they soon became best friends and soul mates. When World War II broke out, Arnold enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Europe. After he came home from the war, Arnold and Betty married on July 4, 1947, started a family and raised their three children.
Above all, Betty loved her husband, family and home. She loved cooking delicious meals and hosting on special occasions and weekend gatherings. She adored being surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionally called her “Nana Banana.” Hand-knit sweaters, chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins, Postum, beef stew, eggs over-easy, layered Jello, her famous apple pie, and hand-made crafts were just a few of the ways Nana expressed her love for her family. She was fun-loving and had a wonderful sense of humor, and she always brought kindness, wisdom, and a deep sense of empathy to her friends and family alike.
Betty was not only a devoted and loving mother, she also loved to work and to be active in the community. She had a fulfilling career as a secretary and bookkeeper for various businesses in the Lakes Region. She was a member of the Lakeport Women’s Club and Sewing Club. Betty was a lifelong and dedicated parishioner of the United Baptist Church in Lakeport, NH where she volunteered and served in the Church’s various clubs and organizations.
In addition to her parents, Betty is predeceased by her husband, Arnold S. Goss, her brother, Harry Lowell Bryant, Jr., and her sister, Marilyn Bryant.
Betty is survived by her children, Steven B. Goss and his wife Lora, Holly C. Fish and her husband Tom, and Glenn S. Goss and his wife Tina. She is also survived by ten grandchildren, Tyson, Rowen, Joslin, Cathrin, Jake, Courtney, Lauren, Amos, Adam, and Sara. All of her grandchildren’s spouses viewed “Nana” as a grandmother of their own. Nana was also blessed to have deep relationships with 18 (and counting) great-grandchildren. Betty is also survived by her nieces Ann Nute, Ellen Peters and Susan Nadeau.
Betty also loved her faithful friends from her neighborhood, Peggy Martel and Brenda Hayes, whose many visits she looked forward to and enjoyed so much.
In every act of kindness, every word of wisdom, and every moment of compassion, Betty's spirit lives on in those who loved her most. Her time on earth has passed, but her legacy of love and selflessness will continue to be an example for us all to follow.
There will be no calling hours.
Burial will be private.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 12 pm at the Conference Center at Blueberry Lane, 35 Blueberry Lane, Laconia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Baptist Church of Lakeport, 23 Park Street, Laconia, NH 03246, or to a charity of their choice in Betty’s name. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.