BEDFORD - Elizabeth Fairbanks Stuart (Hall), 87, of Bedford, passed away peacefully Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, following a period of declining health. She was surrounded by the love of her family.Bette was born in Braintree, Mass. on April 9, 1927 to Victor and Marjorie Keith) Hall. She was raised in Weymouth, Mass., and graduated from Woodward School for Girls in Quincy, Mass. At the age of 18, she married Douglas Stuart and they eventually moved to Abington, Mass., and started a family. Bette was incredibly generous with her time, giving years as a volunteer at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth as well as the VNA of Abington. She was also actively involved in the Abington Republican Committee and the Massachusetts State Republican Committee and worked part time in the office for Camp Fire Girls of America. Described as a loving, independent woman, Bette enjoyed spending time in her flower gardens and visiting the ocean. She and her husband were blessed with the ability to spend many summers on the water Duxbury, Mass. and winters in Siesta Key, Sarasota, Fla.Bette is survived by her husband of 71 years, Douglas S. Stuart Sr; son, Douglas S. Stuart Jr. of Brooks, Maine; daughter, Anne Elizabeth Quirk of Milford; son, Jonathan L. Stuart of Deering; daughter, Heidi Johanna Chenette and her husband, David of Bedford; her brother, Frederick Hall of Contoocook; grandchildren Tracy Berube of Milford, Eben Stuart of Brighton, Mass., Tyler Quirk of Milford, Matthew A. Stuart of Weare, Abigail E. Stuart of Deering, and Nicholas Chenette of Boxford, Mass.; and great grandchildren Alexander Douglas Berube and Jack Reed Berube. . services: Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, Feb. 5, 6 to 8 p.m. at Phaneuf Funeral Home, 243 Hanover St. in Manchester. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bette's memory may be made to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation 8085 Saltsburg Road, Suite 201Pittsburgh, PA 15239 or online at www.umdf.org or to the Woodward School for Girls, 1102 Hancock St., Quincy, MA 02169 or online at www.thewoodwardschool.afford.com. Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information please go to www.phaneuf.net.