Elizabeth ‘Betty’ McKinnon, 75, Worked at Digital and as Driver

Elizabeth_McKinnonSurrounded by her family, Betty “Don’t call me Elizabeth,” McKinnon, 75, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer.

Born in Portland, Maine, she spent her teenage years in Winston-Salem, N.C., and her adult life in Groveland and Haverhill. She began working at the age of 14 after lying about her age. Although she worked at Digital for years, she preferred to do anything not involving a cubicle—from driving school buses when her girls were young, to driving a wheelchair van for the disabled until she was 65, and then working with the elderly until she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 73.

Known to many as “The Cruise Queen,” she would spend weeks researching and planning the 42 cruises taken with the family as well as too many other trips to count. When not traveling she loved shopping for bargains, eating lobster at Markey’s in Seabrook, N.H., or playing with her cats or computer games online.  After eloping to Hawaii, Betty spent the rest of her life with her husband and best friend, Ron McKinnon. They were married 33 years.

She is survived by her daughters Lisa MacAllister and husband Rob of Bradford and Barbie Venturi and husband Tony of Barrington, N.H.; son Dan McKinnon and fiancé Tricia of Haverhill; grandchildren, Kim, Brian, Amanda, Leah and Isabella; great granddaughter MacKenzie; brother-in-law Dick McKinnon and his wife Annette of Hudson, N.H.; nephews and nieces Gary and Maura McKinnon of Arlington, Jay and Kelly McKinnon of Nashua, N.H., and Ryan and Colleen McKinnon of Tyngsboro, along with their combined seven children; Tony’s sons Anthony and Michael and Tricia’s sons Tyler and Mason; her so-called third daughter Shelia Dunbar of Manchester, N.H.; and lifelong friend Beth Faulk of North Carolina.

Visitation takes place Wednesday, July 19, at Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St., Haverhill, from 5 to 8 p.m. Private services are Thursday at Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Betty’s name to the Nevins Farm, Methuen or to the Merrimack Valley Hospice High Pointe House in Haverhill.