Betty Jane Earle

Betty Jane Earle, 90, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, in Dedham, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on July 22, 1935, in Mt. Kisco, New York, Betty was the daughter of Elizabeth Sommerville Bloomer (Sansom) and Kenneth Victor Bloomer. She later married the love of her life, Alton Blinn Earle, with whom she shared many devoted years until his passing on August 7, 2024.

Betty’s love of learning and language shaped much of her life. She pursued her studies at Wellesley College, Middlebury College, and Fitchburg State College, eventually earning Master's degrees in French and educational technology. Her academic journey reflected both dedication and curiosity, recognized by her instructors at the Middlebury College French Language Summer School and exemplified by her participation in the French Corridor community at Wellesley College.

Her passion for the French language and culture led her to Paris through a study-abroad program administered by Middlebury College. She was also a Fulbright Scholar at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, during the 1957–1958 academic year—an experience that remained a source of pride and lasting perspective. Her organizational abilities were honed during her service as Secretary to the Dean at the Middlebury College French Language Summer School, further deepening her connection to academic life and mentorship.

Betty built a life grounded in warmth, resilience, and generosity. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose steady presence shaped the lives of those around her. She had a gift for making others feel comfortable and cared for, offering a quick smile and a quiet strength that left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She also carried a lightness of spirit that brought joy to everyday moments—famously heading off to choir practice at Northfield School for Girls, while dancing the ‘bunny hop’ to “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” a memory that captures both her sense of humor and her ability to find delight even in the most traditional settings.

She is survived by her sons, Keith Alton Earle and his wife, Kathleen Anne Earle, and Kenneth Robert Earle and his wife, Sandra Marie Wilkinson. She was a proud grandmother to Morgen Michael Earle and to her great-granddaughters, Cora June Earle and Eloise Grace Earle, each of whom brought her immense joy.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Good Shepherd Hospice and the caring staff at Traditions of Dedham Senior Living Community for their compassion and support.

Services honoring Betty’s life will be held at Lutheran Church of the Newtons, Newton, Massachusetts, at 11 AM, July 18th, 2026, and at Readfield Methodist Church, Readfield, ME, at 11 AM, July 25th, 2026. A private interment service will be held at the Southside Cemetery in Skowhegan, ME.

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