Elizabeth “Betty” Messer died on April 22, 2022 at the grand age of 94. Her spirit is carried on by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, an extended family of relatives and friends from every walk of life.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Betty was the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Gallagher. She met and married the love of her life, Wilfrid “Wimp” Messer, in the late 1940s and spent the next 20 years raising her family in Parkville, Maryland. In the late 1960s, Betty and Wimp realized their dream of moving to Kennebunk, Maine, where they lived for the next 42 years prior to Wimp’s death in 2010. In 2014, Betty moved back to Maryland, this time residing at the Fairhaven Community in Sykesville.
Master gardener. Registered nurse. Expert bridge player. Gifted chef and baker. Skilled dressmaker. Amazing flower arranger. Wonderful conversationalist. Lover of bouquets and chardonnay -- Betty was all these things – and more. More importantly, she was a beloved mom, grandmom, great-grandmom and friend adored by all who knew her and loved her.
In addition to being called Betty, she was known by many other names: Maaaaaagret, Liza, Grandmom, GrandMargaret, The Lady with the Green Thumb, My Wonderful Neighbor, World’s Best Mother-in-Law, Beloved Friend. And she embraced them all!
Betty lived a long, rich, and vibrant life, leaving everyone whose lives she touched better than she found them. Predeceased by her husband, Wimp, she is survived by her children: Chris Gingo, her husband Charlie, and their children and grandchildren; Tom Messer, his wife Lisa, and their children and grandchildren; Rev. Terry Messer; Sue Gleichauf, her husband Paul, and their children; and Missy Messer and her children. She also is survived by her sister, Kathy Stoess, many nieces and nephews, and innumerable dear friends too numerous to mention but not forgotten.
Betty will be buried in Kennebunk, Maine, beside her husband Wimp.
All are asked to raise a glass of chardonnay to toast this wonderful woman and thank her for being a part of our lives.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made either to:
Thompson Lake Environmental Association, https://www.thompsonlake.org/
PO Box 25 Oxford, ME 04270)
-OR-
Neighbor Ride, https://www.neighborride.org/
5570 Sterrett Place, Suite 102 Columbia, MD 21044
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