ELIZABETH ANN “BETTE” MCKEAN

MONKTON — Elizabeth Ann “Bette” McKean, 83, of Monkton, Vt., passed away peacefully May 9, 2026, at McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vt.

Bette McKean was born March 12, 1943, in Shoreham, Vt., to Cassius M. and Marion G. (Fuller) Gosselin. She attended school in Shoreham, before continuing her education at Champlain College. In addition to her office work, Bette enjoyed working as a party planner consultant for Beeline Fashions and Cameo Lingerie.

Throughout her life Bette made homes and memories in Monkton as well as Fort Collins, Colo. and Winter Park, Fla.

On August 20, 1966, she married the love of her life, Thomas McKean Sr. Together they shared more than 59 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, music, family and adventure.

Bette found joy in nurturing her flower gardens, traveling by car with her husband and listening to Tom play his music. She also enjoyed attending the Bristol and Vergennes summer band concerts where Tom performed.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas McKean Sr.; her children, Anne Cassidy Godard-Kurek, Valerie Cassidy Sinclair and husband Clayton, Thomas McKean, Jr. and partner Sherri Thibault-Newman, and Nicole McKean Harris and husband Aaron. She adored her 10 beloved grandchildren and precious four great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her siblings, Madeline Gosselin Sturtevant, George Gosselin, Lena Gosselin Walsh, Cassius “Buck” Gosselin, Theodore Gosselin, John Gosselin, Sherry Gosselin Durant, Jacqueline “Jackie” Gosselin, Audrey Gosselin Hornbeck, Joseph Gosselin, Charles “Chuck” Gosselin, and several nieces and nephews.

Bette was predeceased by her parents, Cassius and Marion Gosselin; her sister, Grace “Tink” Vaughn; her brother, Harold “Pete” Gosselin; and several in-laws.

Visitation will be held at Sanderson Funeral Home in Middlebury, Vt., Monday, May 18, from 5-7 p.m.

A Mass and Christian burial will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol, Vt., Tuesday, May 19, at 11 a.m., with interment to follow at Mount St. Joseph Cemetery on Plank Road in Bristol.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you plant a rosebush, flowering plant or a tree in Bette’s memory to honor her love of flowers or a donation to the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. ◊