ELIZABETH (BETTY) PHELPS THIBAULT
VENICE, FL – Elizabeth (Betty) Phelps Thibault, 83 years old, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on March 11, 2020 after a 12-year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. At the time of her passing, she was holding the hand of her husband Bob, smiled one final time and passed peacefully into eternity.
Betty was born in St. Albans, Vermont on November 17, 1936, the daughter of Robert and Dorothy (Russell) Phelps. Betty graduated from Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans, Vermont in 1954. Betty met the love of her life through a mutual friend, Mabel Moore and Bob and Betty were married on May 17, 1958. Bob vowed to love, honor and cherish Betty all the days of her life – in sickness and in health – and he remained devoted and faithful to his bride through the many years of Alzheimer’s.
Betty is survived by her husband of 61 years, Robert George Thibault of Venice, Florida, her son Michael and wife Lisa Thibault of Pasadena, Maryland and her son Jeffrey and wife Donda Thibault of St. Albans, Vermont. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Francis and wife Marlene Thibault and brother-in-law Gene and wife Marge Boren. Betty also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Jonathan Thibault and his wife Laura Madeline, Sarah Palumbo and her husband Adam, Alex Thibault and Ben Thibault, great-granddaughter Lydia Palumbo and many nieces and nephews.
Betty worked as a bookkeeper in the Accounting Department at Franklin Lamoille Bank and then as an Employment Specialist for the Vermont Department of Employment for the remainder of her working career. Upon retirement, she joined her husband, sons, daughter-in-law and nephew to work with the family appliance sales and service business, Thibault Appliances. Betty and Bob loved their family and shared their love of travel with them, enjoying many memorable trips together. They enjoyed spending summers in Vermont and winters in Florida for many years until eventually becoming full-time Florida residents when travelling back and forth became too difficult.
Betty was a member of Redeeming Grace Church in Georgia, VT and then a member of First Baptist Church of Venice, FL when they moved to Florida full-time. Betty had a strong faith in the Lord, who was her ever present help through the challenging years of dementia. Even as her disease advanced, Betty continued to smile and be a testimony that the joy of the Lord was her strength. Her favorite hymn was “It is Well with My Soul” and she is now resting in the everlasting arms of her Savior Jesus.
Betty’s family would like to thank the many people and organizations that helped in her caregiving and encouragement through her remaining years, including the many dedicated professionals at Bay Breeze Health & Rehabilitation Center of Venice, Florida, the staff and leadership of the Senior Friendship Center of Venice, Tidewell Hospice of Venice and the members and leadership of First Baptist Church of Venice, in particular two very dedicated servants of the Lord, Janis Eisman and Christa Monahan.
A memorial service and celebration of Betty’s life will be held at a later date yet to be determined.
Memorial contributions can be made to: Senior Friendship Center of Venice, Caregiver Services, 2350 Scenic Drive, Venice, Florida 34293 and/or The Alzheimer’s Association –Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, 4010 Roosevelt Blvd. #709, Clearwater, Florida 33762.
Assisting the Thibault family is the Heald Funeral Home, where messages of condolence are welcome at www.healdfuneralhome.com.
