Elizabeth “Betty” Zinn, beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away on July 16, 2026, at Covenant Living in Keene, surrounded by her family. She was 89. Betty was born on June 20, 1937, in Marlborough, New Hampshire, to Irving G. Demerse and Florence A. Davison, and was the third of five children. In 1954, she married George K. Bemis of Keene, with whom she raised four children.

Betty attended Marlborough schools and graduated from Keene High School in 1954. She later earned an associate’s degree in the arts from Franklin Pierce College in 1984. She spent most of her career in communications with New England Telephone and NYNEX, retiring from Verizon in 1991 as a Residence Business Office Manager in Leominster, MA. After retirement, she worked part time as a proofreader at the Keene Sentinel.

Betty was born to perform and was never more comfortable than when she was on stage. Her love of music and performance began early, bringing her to Heart Fund shows, Playwrights Theater, the Valley Green, and a local barbershop quartet. She later shared her voice and spirit for many years with the Keene Pops Choir and the Keene Senior Swingers, where she also served for a time as director. Across hundreds of performances, Betty had a gift for stealing the show. She was still earning standing ovations this spring at her most recent Variety Show at Covenant. Through music, she captured the hearts of complete strangers and made them feel connected. And if anyone needed the lyrics to a song, they did not need the internet—they just needed Betty.

Beyond family and music, Betty found joy in the arts, lifelong discovery, and travel. She loved to draw, paint, whittle wood, and write, especially poetry. An avid genealogist, she traced her family lineage back to the Mayflower, following each discovery with the same curiosity and enthusiasm she brought to everything she loved. Her adventures took her to many countries, including memorable trips with the Keene Pops Choir. At seventy-one, she traveled halfway around the world to Mongolia with her granddaughter to visit her daughter and son-in-law, who were serving in the Peace Corps. Wherever she went, she collected rocks, sought out a strong cup of black coffee, and met the world with pride in being American as well as deep respect for other cultures. Her curiosity and love of learning never faded, remaining with her until the very end. She had a special affection for furry animals and was known to slip table food to any animal fortunate enough to be nearby.

Of all she accomplished in her life, Betty will be remembered most for the way she made people feel. She was generous, empathetic, open-hearted, and deeply kind, with a gift for making anyone feel instantly at home in her presence. She was a mother to all, welcoming everyone with open arms, and her family joked that she walked around with her lips puckered, ready to plant a kiss on anyone who greeted her. She could make anyone smile with her charm, wit, easy banter, one-liners, and puns. Betty loved wildly and endlessly, and she leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

Betty’s greatest role in life was motherhood. She was intensely proud of her children, grandchildren, and everyone her family loved. She is survived by her son, George K. Bemis Jr., and his wife, Donna Bemis; her daughter, Susan Blanch, and her partner, Robert Peirolo; her son, Matthew Bemis, and his wife, Brandi Bemis; and her daughter, Julie Moulton, and her husband, James Moulton. She also leaves five grandchildren, Rebecca Bemis, Thatcher Bemis, Amanda Lockwood, Katie Voudren, and Lily Hamel, and five great-grandchildren, Ellsie Bemis, Darcy Bemis, Luna Lockwood, Sawyer Bemis, and August Lockwood.

Betty is predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Gordon Demerse, Jean (Demerse) Elliott, Rebecca (Demerse) Syer, and Albert Demerse.

SERVICES: A private burial will be held for immediate family. All are welcome to attend her Celebration of Life on August 16, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Marlborough House, 9 Ling Street, Marlborough, NH.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Covenant Employee Fund at Covenant Living in Keene. The staff was like a second family to Betty, and her family is eternally grateful for the extraordinary love they showed her. Checks can be made out to “CLK Residents Association” with “EAF” in the memo.

To view Elizabeth's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.