Elizabeth Derby Obituary

LANCASTER ---- Elizabeth 'Betty' MacDonald Derby, 87, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
Born on March 2, 1938, in Manchester, NH, the daughter of Ray E. and Ruth E. (Lamper) MacDonald. She joined her three older brothers: Stirling, Mendon and Kenneth.
Betty attended Manchester Central High School and went on to graduate from Plymouth Teachers College class of 1959.
A love of music led her to sing in the PTC Choir and at one of their concerts she caught the eye of a gentleman named John E. Derby, Jr. They married in July of 1960 and were blessed with three children, Kendall, James and Sue.
Betty's quiet faith led her to sing and play both piano and organ for church services wherever they lived. One special place was the outdoor Twin Lakes Chapel in Mammoth Lakes, California, as well as the Gilmanton Community Church in Gilmanton, NH. Betty also was a member of the New Hampshire Music Festival Chorus, Pemigewasset Choral Society and the Suncook Valley Chorus, among other singing groups in the area.
Her work at the Mammoth Lakes Library carried over to the Laconia (NH) Public Library where she worked for 24 years until her retirement in 2003.
Elizabeth is survived by her sons Kendall Derby and his wife Amy of Fossil, Oregon, James Derby and wife Chris Ann of Waldoboro, Maine, daughter Sue Derby and her partner Tim Berry of East Concord, Vermont, three grandsons Seamus, Kyle and Jason Derby and two great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband John E. Derby, Jr., in December of 1993.
There will be no calling hours.
A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, July 18, at 11:00am, at Beech Grove Cemetery, 611 Province Road, Gilmanton, NH, followed by fellowship at the Gilmanton Community Church, 497 Province Road in Gilmanton Corners, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.