Elizabeth Bentley Viering (Betty), 94, passed away on Friday, July 17th at her home in Noank surrounded by her family.
She was born August, 4, 1920 at Littlewood Farm in Norfolk. MA, to O.D.H. and Dorothy Beebe Bentley. She spent an idyllic childhood on the farm with summers at Groton Long Point, first visiting there in 1922. Her connection to Groton Long Point remained from that time forward.
She met her husband of 52 years, Russell W. Viering, at Groton Long Point, and they enjoyed the Viering family cottage there throughout their lives. She and Rus raised their family in West Hartford, retiring to Noank in 1981.
She was a 1942 graduate of Connecticut College, and was later employed by Houghton Mifflin Publishing Company in Boston. She was an accomplished pianist and organist.
Betty is survived by her sons, Russell W. Viering, Jr., Peter B. Viering (Liz), two grandchildren, Sarah Khan (Casey) and Justin Gillern, and five great grandchildren, as well as her sister Dorothy Grant.
She was predeceased by her husband, her brothers 2nd Lt. John Bentley, US Army Air Corps, lost in the Pacific in WWII, and Howard Bentley; and her sister Carolyn Bentley.
Betty was an inspiration and role model to all who knew her.
Memorial services will be private