Ellsworth
Elizabeth Lorraine Thibodeau Robidoux (Betty, or Big Mom), 89, passed away at home surrounded by friends and family on Aug. 17, 2022. She was born July 2, 1933, in Fitchburg, Mass., to Charles and Laura Thibodeau.
She went to school in Princeton, Mass., where she played guard and was captain of the Princeton Tigers girls’ basketball team. She worked at the Mt. Wachussett summit restaurant, where she met and later married Al Robidoux in June of 1952. Traveling with him through Europe while he was in the Army, she worked as a substitute altar boy, serving Mass when they were short of servers. They moved to Moosup, Conn., and began their family, having 10 children together. The family moved numerous times, from Central Village, Conn., to Surry, Waltham and Bath, then back to Pomfret, Conn., and finally to Bridge Hill, in Ellsworth.
Her first grandson, Michael, coined her with the name “Big Mom,” which stuck. She is still lovingly called Big Mom by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty was the matriarch of Bridge Hill, where her home overflowed with her children, neighborhood children, family, friends, really good food and lots of love, oh and a menagerie! She was a strong, feisty, big-hearted woman, a gentle soul and lover of all living things.
Betty worked at “The Adam’s Apple” and many of Ellsworth’s restaurants, including The Hancock House, Top Spot, Brookside, Rosewood and The Maine Stream. She was an avid championship candlepin bowler, earning several perfect scores. She also drag-raced at Winterport Dragway, earning the best “track time” winning most of her Powderpuff Races in that 1968 Red AMX.
Betty was predeceased by her very best friends, Betty Austin, Betsy Roy and Sharon (Sam) Payson, all of Ellsworth. She was also predeceased by her parents, Laura and Charles Thibodeau, brothers Raymond Thibodeau (Edith), Robert Thibodeau (Pat), sister Shirley Rahaim (Tommy) and brother-in-law David Haynes and by her grandchildren Elisabeth Louise Clough, Peyton Elizabeth Richardson and Joseph Loren White.
She leaves behind her sisters Loretta Haynes and Mary Meola (Dick) and brother Neil Thibodeau (Judy) of Massachusetts; ex-husband Albert Robidoux, and Noah Robidoux of Ellsworth; children, Michelle Robidoux (Chris); Lisa Faure (Tom) of Vermont; Betty Robidoux Lacrosse; Albert J. Robidoux (Leanore); Alicia Card (Jim); Rosalie Robidoux; Raymond Robidoux (Rhyne); Karen Robidoux; Jean-Pierre Robidoux (Phyllis); and Theresa Richardson (Jerry), all of Maine. Big Mom also leaves 16 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind a special friend, Debbie Cutler of Pomfret, Conn., many fostered and adored “bonus” children and grandchildren. Her sweet cat Sassy will miss her very much, too.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Aug. 29, 2022, from 10-11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 231 Main St., Ellsworth, where a Mass of Christian burial will be prayed at 11 a.m.
Special thank you to caregiver Wendy Hansen and to Kindred Hospice, and all others who helped the family care for Betty through her illness.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local animal shelter or sanctuary of your choice.
Arrangements in care of Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.