FARMINGTON – Elizabeth Aphia Karkos, 91, of Wilton, died Saturday, April 15, 2011, at Orchard Park Rehabilitation and Living Center.
She was born Sept. 27, 1919, in Jersey City, N.J., the daughter of Arthur B. and Florence (Bogardus) Cole. She graduated from Wilton Academy in 1937 and Westbrook College in 1939.
On Oct. 21, 1939, she married Harold Michael Karkos. He predeceased her in 2003.
Betty, as she was known over her lifetime, was active in the First Congregational Church, Wilton, and was one of the first women deacons. She also served as treasurer of the Women’s Fellowship for many years. For over half a century she was a member of the Tyngtown Club and was a long-time member of the Maine Graphics Assoc. and its Century Club. She loved playing bridge every Monday.
In 1949, in partnership with her husband of 64 years, they started Wilton Printed Products, Inc. In 1976, they spun off the silk screen department and opened Wilton Silk Screen, Inc. After retiring in the fall of 1989, they drove their son’s 1939 Buick to California.
She shared her husband’s interest in history, especially the history of Wilton. For years, they collected memorabilia from the area to begin a museum, which led to the opening of the Wilton Historical Society’s Home and Farm Museum. With the dedicated help of many other like-minded enthusiasts, a society and a museum became a reality.
Betty is survived by a son, Stephen A. Karkos and his wife, Kathleen Foster and their son Randall Karkos of San Jose, Calif.; a brother, Henry B. Cole of Waterford, Conn.; two grandsons, Michael Karkos and his wife Leslie and their daughter Phoebe Karkos; and Andrew Karkos; a granddaughter, Laura Markarian and her husband, Michael and their twins Michael Donald and Lauren Anne and their daughter Meghan; daughter-in-law, Paulette Berendes and her husband, Leo Berendes; cousin Carol R. Anderson and her daughter Valerie Duffy and her husband Brian.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by their son Donald A. Karkos in 1990.
Memorial services will be held Wednesday, April 20 at 2 p.m. from the First Congregational Church, Main St., Wilton, with Rev. Karen Janus officiating. Following services, the women’s fellowship will host a reception in the church vestry. All are welcome.
Remembrance gifts may be given to the Wilton UCC in Betty’s memory PO Box 566 Wilton, Me. 04294. Tributes and condolences may be shared with her family at www.wilesrc.com. Private family committal services will be held in the summertime at Lakeview Cemetery, Wilton. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 136 High St., Wilton.
How I wish I had visited Betty just one more time. I was planning to drop in this week. A lesson for us all that it can very suddenly become too late to say “I’m sorry” or “I love you”. Do it today while you still can.
Betty K. and my mother Betty M. were dear friends for decades and when Betty M. had a rehab stint at Orchard Park a few months ago, they spent every available hour together. Betty K. would round the corner into Mom’s room skillfully propelling her wheelchair with her feet. She would do a little do-si-do parking maneuver and land facing Mom so they could visit. If I was there she would graciously offer to come back later but we always insisted she stay. I was there the day Mom learned she was free to return to Pinewood Terrace. Betty K. sobbed, they held hands, recited the words to some song in unison (I wish I could remember what it was), professed their love for one another, and counted back through the years of their friendship. It was both touching and gut-wrenching. Mom promised to call Betty every day and kept that promise speaking with her by phone at least twice a day over the months that followed.
On the heels of that experience I made it a point to stop in for visits myself and did so several times. Betty would look at the ceiling from her prone position and say, “They’ve got to do something about these ceilings.” When I inquired as to the meaning of that observation she explained that they were so blank, so white, so empty. And so she and I imagined a device that would project movies, television programs, documentaries, and even books onto all the blank ceilings in all the nursing homes everywhere for all the infirm patients to enjoy. Of course the technology is already available, just not in an easy-to-use form. She loved the idea and we worked on a name for the device. When I insisted it was her invention and that it had to have the name Karkos associated with it she pooh-poohed the idea in her typically selfless manner. We spoke of it every time we met after that.
I worked for Betty and Harold at Wilton Printed Products for a few weeks one summer when I was a teenager. I collated pages and cut and perforated note pads, among other things. Just a couple of years ago I was driving on Depot Street and noticed that the old building that had housed the printing shop appeared to be leaning a little. I brushed it off as an optical illusion but within a day or two I passed by again and the entire top floor and roof had fallen over when the first floor toppled like a domino. I thought of Betty. I thought of Harold. Wouldn’t they have been surprised!
Betty was miserable after Betty M. died only a few weeks ago. She stopped answering her phone because, after all, Betty M. wouldn’t be calling. I sincerely hope with all my heart that they are together now, holding hands, reciting the words to that old song, and continuing their friendship into eternity. God bless you my Dear Betty’s.
Jeff, what a wonderful tribute to Betty! I was sad to learn of your mother’s death a few weeks ago as well. I used to live in the upstairs apartment above the Print shop. My mother was often ill, and Betty was always very kind to her and to me. I, too, was shocked when I was home 2 summers ago and saw the state of my old home over the shop! May both Betty’s now rest in peace, and enjoy their eternal friendship!!!
Oh how I enjoyed visiting both Bettys. Betty M. I considered my 2nd Mom, for all the times I
spent at your house as a young girl. You couldn’t have written a better discription of her, The
last time I went to visit she was on the phone and told the person I have to hang up now Sharon
Foster just walked in. I am so fortunate to have had such a nice 2nd Mom!
Betty Karkos is another person I admired. She was our neighbor on Allen Street when Buddy
and I were newly married. She was a great neighbor , had a wealth of knowledge and I loved
talking with her. We spent a bit of time together, as Harold was suffering with dementia, but
we managed to find some humor in the day to day stuff.
These two ladies will be very much missed and I’m glad to know they had such a close connection right to the end!