Elizabeth B. Lehrmitt (Bette), age 97, longtime resident of Rockville, the widow of Edwin H. Lehrmitt, passed into eternal life Friday, Oct. 10, 2014.

She was born the 12th child of 16 in Gardner, Massachusetts, July 12, 1917, to the late Alexander and Alexandra Plona. During World War II she worked for Pontiac and was an executive secretary for the War Department Springfield Ordinance in Hartford. After marrying her husband, Edwin, in 1945, they opened the Bette-Ann Shoppe on Main Street in Rockville. Later she was employed as a secretary for the Vernon Board of Education at Vernon Elementary and Maple Street schools working for the best principals in the world. Upon retiring, after 28 years of service, she kept busy working for the Christmas Present in Vernon and then for the town of Vernon Senior Center typing rental rebates through her late 80s.

Bette is survived by her daughter, Lynn L. Ronalter of New Hampshire and Vermont; son, Craig E. Lehrmitt and his wife, Kathryn, of Meriden; granddaughters Chelsea Maria Ronalter, Rachel Elisa Ronalter, Amy Elizabeth Lehrmitt; and grandson Ryan Christopher Lehrmitt; and sister Cecelia (Ces) Fasciglione. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews throughout the United States. Besides her husband and parents, Bette was predeceased by her sisters Sophie Ambroze, Mae Plona, Josephine Skamarycz, Alice Pastic, Sr. Mary Laetitia (Stella) of the Felician Sisters, Viola Klonoski, Nancy Narden, Sister Mary Febronia (Jeanette) of the Daughters of the Immaculate Conception, Regina Kasper, Veronica Bucchere, Dorothy Kapiskas; and brothers John, Francis, and Joseph Plona.

Bette was an active parishioner of St. Bernard's Church, was on the Ladies Guild, and assisted with hospital ministry. She also was a member of the National Council of Catholic Women.

Calling hours will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at Burke-Fortin Funeral Home, 76 Prospect St, Rockville. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard's Church, Rockville. Interment will be private at Grove Hill Cemetery in Rockville.

Bette was an avid animal lover and was the companion to many doggies and kitties. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450, the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111, or to St. Bernard Church, 25 St. Bernard Terrace, Rockville, CT 06066.
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