In Memory of Betty Johnson
A life dedicated to service, leadership, and community
A memorial service will be held for Betty on Friday, January 23, at 11:00 AM at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast, Maine 04915. A private springtime burial is being planned. Memories and condolences may be shared on her tribute wall at ripostafh.com.
In honor of Betty, donations can be made to the Maine Chapter of the American Heart Association and Maine Coast Animal Rescue.
Betty Johnson, who passed away January 6, 2026, was a beloved leader, tireless volunteer, and steadfast champion whose decades of service shaped not only our party but also the very fabric of Waldo County and Maine. Betty leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations, a legacy rooted in unwavering dedication and boundless compassion.
Many of our journeys in Democratic politics began with Betty’s encouragement. It was Betty who welcomed folks and nudged them to join the Waldo County Democratic Committee, attend the state convention, and serve on the State Committee. Her support and belief in others were constant—she was always a cheerleader, urging us to reach higher and serve with purpose.
Betty’s impact was felt in countless ways. She helped to create the video “How County Government Works” that aired on Maine Public, where she shared her vast knowledge and passion for public service. Her ability to illuminate the inner workings of government and make it accessible to all was truly a gift. She leaves a lasting legacy of creativity, compassion, service, and commitment to the people of Waldo County.
Beyond her civic engagement, Betty was a nurse for 25 years and ran Hobbledehoy Toys in downtown Belfast for a decade—a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and her deep roots in our community. Her generosity extended beyond politics; she embraced everyone, inviting and mentoring, never taking disagreements personally but always leading with respect and understanding.
Betty didn’t just encourage participation—she inspired leadership. When she suggested running for an office, her encouragement was unwavering, urging us to take the leap. Betty was a pillar of the Maine Democratic Party, her voice and presence a guiding force for so many.
Her support and advice were invaluable. Betty’s dedication to her community and our party was absolutely inspiring, and her kindness and guidance helped many of us find our way.
Working with Betty was not only an honor but a privilege. She was a warrior, fiercely committed to the causes she believed in, and her humor and patience shone in every interaction—whether she was helping with a permit or mentoring a newcomer. She was the very picture of dedication and service, never shying away from the hard work and always doing so with grace.
Betty’s tremendous work alongside so many colleagues transformed Waldo County, often leading to great victories. Through both triumphs and defeats, her steadfast commitment never wavered. To honor her, I urge you all to have a protein shake and a Pepsi, as she would have liked.
She roped many of us into vital roles—sometimes with a mischievous grin—but always left us better for it. Betty was the backbone of countless efforts, her advice and mentorship invaluable. We have lost a true treasure.
She was a real soldier—willing to do the nuts and bolts work that kept everything running smoothly. Her advice and mentoring were invaluable. We have lost a true treasure in our community.
Betty worked tirelessly, never slowing down, persevering through every challenge with spirit and determination. Her presence in Maine Democratic politics was constant, and her contributions were immeasurable.
Betty embodied everything honorable and dedicated, never taking sides personally and always focusing on the greater good. She was a shining example of what a Democratic leader should be—a force, a leader, and above all, a kind and principled woman.
She leaves behind a tremendous legacy, not only in Waldo County but throughout Maine. Her deep institutional knowledge, and her commitment to fairness and the democratic process established her as a guardian of our party’s values.
To say that Betty will be missed is an understatement. She showed us what it means to lead with integrity, fairness, and heart. We are forever grateful for her life of service and for the example she set. May we continue her work with the same dedication and love for community that she so beautifully demonstrated.
Rest in peace, Betty Johnson. Your legacy endures in every life you touched and in every heart you inspired.
Community roles over the years
- Many leadership roles with the Waldo County Democratic Committee and Maine Democratic Party
- Six-time delegate to the Democratic National Conventions; twice as a presidential elector
- Waldo County Commissioner for over 15 years, including the final year of her fourth term as Commissioner and her second year as Chair of the Board
- Waldo County Budget Committee
- Lincolnville Select Board
- Maine County Commissioners Association Board of Directors and Finance Committee
- Midcoast Council of Governments
- Belfast Creative Coalition
- AIME (Artivism in Maine)
- HiiT (Helping Incarcerated Individuals Transition)
- Coastal Counties Workforce Board
- Waldo County Comprehensive Community Health
- Aging Well in Waldo County
- Waldo County Wellness Committee
- Maine Board of Occupational Safety
- Homeless in Maine Consortium
- Midcoast Public Health Council
- Waldo County General Hospital Healthy Communities Coalition
Statement of the Maine Democratic Party
The Maine Democratic Party mourns the loss of Betty Johnson, a beloved leader, tireless volunteer, and steadfast champion whose decades of service shaped our party and our state. Betty leaves behind a legacy of dedication that will inspire generations to come.
A fixture of the Maine Democratic Party, Betty earned her reputation as the “Queen of Credentials,” serving for many years as Chair of the Credentials Committee and remaining actively involved on both the Credentials and Rules Committees. She also served for decades as Treasurer of the party. Her deep institutional knowledge, unwavering fairness, and commitment to the democratic process made her an invaluable guardian of our party’s values.
A proud Democrat from Lincolnville, Betty was a pillar of the Waldo County Democratic Committee and served her community as Chair of the Waldo County Commissioners, embodying her belief that local leadership matters.
Betty Johnson showed us what it means to lead with integrity, fairness, and heart. She gave decades of her life to building a stronger Maine Democratic Party, and we are forever grateful
Personal memories from people who knew Betty
Josh Gerritsen: This [news] makes me so sad to hear. When I went to my first Lincolnville Democratic Caucus in 2014, Betty was the one that encouraged me to join the Waldo County Democratic Committee and go to the state convention. And Betty was the one that nudged me to join the State Committee. She was always a cheerleader for me in local Democratic politics and I will be forever grateful to her. We also collaborated on a video all about How County Government Works that aired on Maine Public back in 2014. Watch Betty show all the fascinating aspects of County Government in Waldo County!
Vicky Cohen: Josh Gerritsen, you’re not the only one Betty nudged. Betty was the one who encouraged me to run for DSC Secretary – so I did, even though I would not have thought to run without her encouragement. I still have her voice mail on my phone telling me to do this. She was a pillar of MDP, and will be missed.
Sara Salley: Betty’s dedication to her community and to our party, at every level, was absolutely inspiring. When I was a new county chair, her support and advice were invaluable. I will miss her dearly. She leaves a huge hole in our community that will take many people to fill.
Reid Scher: Getting to work with Betty was an honor and a privilege. I’ll miss her.
Patricia Eltman: She was a warrior RiP
Barbara Alexander: A wonderful commitment for sure. Thank you Betty
Kathryn Robyn: What a huge loss to Waldo County. She was also such a great person, the very picture of dedication and service. She helped me fill out a form once for a permit of some sort, like she had nothing better to do, with great humor and patience. Didn’t know me from Adam. RIP Commissioner
Neal Harkness: I served as county chair for nearly a decade, alongside Betty as treasurer. Many newcomers to the county, or the party, may not realize the tremendous work that was done by folks like Betty, Percy Daley, Joe Perry, Lorraine Haines, John Piotti, Veronica Magnan (who also passed recently) and a handful of other committed Dems to turn Waldo blue. During my tenure, there were some great victories and some heartbreaking defeats, and when congratulated, I would always say “Betty did all the work.” I urge everyone to have a protein shake and a Pepsi in her honor.
Reeves Gilmore: I always teased Betty that she tricked me into becoming involved with the Democrats back in 2012. She roped me into various committees and in various positions at the local and state level. When I complained teasingly she would just grin and laugh mischievously. Our last conversation was about a month or so ago – glad we had that talk.
Andy O’Brien: Betty was my campaign manager when I ran for the House in 2008. She was a wonderful person and so dedicated to Democratic politics. Just a real soldier willing to do the necessary nuts and bolts work to keep things running. I will always be grateful to her for her advice and her mentoring. We have lost a real treasure in our community.
Cooper Reed: This is such a loss for our community. I remember first meeting Betty in 2008 at WCDC. She worked tirelessly in a number of roles at the state and county levels, and over the years, remained a constant presence in Maine Democratic politics. Betty never slowed down and gave everything she had in service of others no matter the circumstances, she persevered through it all. I fondly remember a trip we took together to the state convention when I was a teenager. When her beloved husband Bob could not attend, she invited me to join her instead and took particular joy in serving as my chaperone. In addition to her civic engagement, Betty was a nurse for 25 years and was the owner and operator of Hobbledehoy Toys in downtown Belfast for a decade. To say that Betty will be missed is an understatement.
Martha Story Foisy: So very sad to hear of Betty’s passing! When I first started hanging out with the WCDC many years ago, Betty taught me everything I needed to know about Waldo County politics. She was especially helpful to me during the years I served as WCDC Vice Chair. The thing I always respected about Betty Johnson is that she never took it personally if I disagreed with her about some detail. We like each other, we respect each other, but hey, we are in disagreement on this particular point. I try to emulate that same trait. Paul and I send our deepest and most sincere sympathy to Betty’s family.
Barbara Tunick: She really was a shining example of what a Democratic leader should be like. My condolences on your loss of such a strong, principled woman. I didn’t know her but from what I’ve read and know, You, my friend, are very much like her.
Mandi Thomas: She leaves behind a tremendous legacy in Waldo County and all of Maine. This is such a beautiful statement!
Eve Abreu: She was an amazing woman, a leader and a force. She will be missed
Dorothy Rahwan: So honorable and sincerely dedicated.
Jeff Smith: Betty helped me cut my teeth in all things Democrat, while we joked about who was older, enough to know better! She was the perfect combination of wit and wisdom & will be on my old left shoulder every GOTV.
Diane Russell: Betty was a real gem. I’ll always remember her quiet, steadfast behind the scenes work that keeps campaigns and government be successful. Rest in peace, Betty and thank you for all you’ve done.
Diane Denk: I am so sorry to hear this because she was just a gem… So kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely hard-working. I hope her family enjoys beautiful memories to console them in the days ahead.
Marianne Keaney Stevens: Betty will be greatly missed.