Elizabeth Anne Willcox D’Agostino, 96, died peacefully at her daughter’s home in York, ME on Saturday, February 8, 2020. Born October 5, 1923 in Trenton, NJ, Elizabeth (Betty) was the daughter of the late Dudley and Matilda (Hendrickson) Willcox. Betty spent her youth in Lawrenceville, NJ with her parents and sister, Mary Dudley Willcox.
In 1945, Betty graduated with a B.A. from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. She was a member of Tri Delta. Betty and her lifelong best friend, Jeanie, shared many wonderful times together in college and beyond.
Upon graduation, Betty returned to Princeton, NJ and worked for the Gallop Poll. It was in Princeton that she met her future husband, Maurice Joseph D’Agostino (Doc), a Princeton graduate just back from serving in WWII. Married in 1946, they raised three children and ran the Cranbury Inn in Cranbury, NJ. With her entrepreneurial spirit, Betty also ran a successful nursery school in her home until the birth of her third child. Betty and Doc purchased a summer home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire in 1967, where they spent many joyous times with family and friends. One of her favorite past times was to sit down and play Tuxedo Junction on the piano as all gathered around to sing.
After spending forty-four years in the beautiful town of Cranbury, NJ and after the loss of her husband Doc in 1983, her mother Matilda in 1986 and son Peter in 1998, Betty moved with her sister Mary to Maine in 1998, They purchased a new cottage at Sentry Hill in York Harbor, joined the First Parish Church, travelled extensively and enjoyed many activities together.
Betty is survived by two daughters, Laurie D. Stoumen and husband Morris and family including three children and 5 great-grandchildren of Sebastopol, CA; and Lucy D. Crowe and her daughter Caitlin of York and Portland, ME and special friend, George Bushway.
Although Betty experienced health set backs during the last ten years of life, nothing could dampen her positive attitude. She always forged ahead and looked at the lighter, humorous side of life. When someone was in need, she extended a helping hand and cheerful thought. She was witty and made those around her laugh. Betty was loyal, steadfast and generous.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Varney Crossing Nursing Care Center, York Ambulance and York Hospital Hospice for making the sunset of her life as pleasant as possible.
Funeral services will be private. Betty will be laid to rest beside her parents and siter in the Lawrenceville Cemetery in Lawrenceville, NJ. Should friends desire, in remembrance, please extend a ray of sunshine to someone in need, as Betty did throughout her long and happy life.
Arrangements are in the care of the Johnson Funeral Home, North Berwick, ME. Condolences may be expressed at www.JohnsonFuneralHomeME.com