Obituary of Betty P. Kent

Betty Pauline Kent, nee Kruger, of Trenton, Maine died Tuesday, peacefully at her home. Mom left us on January 30, 2024, to be with her beloved husband, and to join her Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ. She was predeceased by Philip Martin Kent, her husband of 51 years.  Born September 16, 1927, in Bay Shore, NY, she resided in Lindenhurst, NY., the youngest child of parents Henry and Augusta (Schneider) Kruger.

Betty finished high school at 16 and continued her education,receiving her Associates Degree in Animal Husbandry from Farmingdale State College at age 18.  Following college, she worked at the DeFere Farms (now Brightwaters Farms) in Bay Shore, NY. In June 1948, Betty accepted the position of Dairy Farm Supervisor for Frederick, Maryland, thus becoming the first woman dairy milk tester for that state.  While making the rounds of 26 farms, Betty met Philip, and by the third round they were married, in September 1948. They began a life of working side by side, first on the Kent family farm, and then renting farms and managing dairy cows. It was here that they had three daughters, Charlene, Lynette, and Laurie. In 1956 they moved to Betty’s home state, New York, and settled in East Islip, Long Island. Here their fourth daughter, Alexandra, was born. Betty worked in their home until all the girls were of school age. To be home with them after school, she took a job as school bus driver, and continued that job until Phil retired in 1973. Wanting to get back to the land, they moved to Trenton, Maine. They purchased a large piece of property, built their new home from the ground up, and worked the land as a home farm for many years. They enjoyed sharing the fruits of their labors with neighbors and even some of the area restaurants, including the old Hilltop House in Ellsworth. For a short time, Betty drove a school bus for the area, and later took a job as a substitute Post Office rural mail courier. When Phil worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they purchased the Montgomery Ward Sales Agency in Ellsworth, Maine, which they operated from 1980 to 1984.  Betty was a member of the Hancock County Democratic Committee and volunteered her time there. She also volunteered at Courtland Rehabilitation and Living Center in Ellsworth spending time with the residents and reading to them.

Surviving are their four daughters, Charlene Kent Witting (and husband Lee), of Penobscot; Lynette Woods of Trenton; Laurie Rich (and husband Douglas) of Hampden; Alexandra Kent of
Trenton. Also, one grandson, Henry Woods of Trenton; two nieces, Karen McDonnell, of Wilmington, NC, and Robin Kruger of Belfast, and three sisters-in-law on the Kent side, Betty Kent, and
Patricia Plum, both of Maryland, and Suzanne Kent of Florida.  Betty was predeceased by her brother, Elbert Kruger and Lynette’s husband, Chris Woods.

Memorial contributions may be made to the TV ministry, Souls Harbor, PO Box 275, Corinth, ME 04427.  Memories and condolences may be shard on her tribute wall.