Betty Elaine Jenks McQuillen

September 2, 2024

Betty Elaine Jenks McQuillen, 95, long-time florist and owner of Farrant's Greenhouse in Newport, VT, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2024 in St. Johnsbury, VT with family by her side.  Betty was born in Newport, VT on July 21, 1929 to Harold Jenks and Elsie Brundage Jenks in the house on Farrant Street that she called home her entire life.  She attended Newport High School where she was a member of many clubs and sports, including head cheerleader and attending Green Mountain Girl's State.  She graduated in 1947, the same year she was selected to be Newport's first student named Vermont Good Citizenship Girl, sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, which earned her a trip to Washington, D.C.   During high school, she worked in the greenhouse and flower shop, learning the art of flower design from her father. Her flower arranging skills were enjoyed by many Northeast Kingdom families for eighty plus years.

She went on to earn a secretarial certificate and graduate with high honors from Burdett College in July, 1948. She enlisted in the US Air Force and served from March 14, 1951 to November 13, 1952, before being honorably discharged and returning to Newport to care for her father and younger siblings. While stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, she met her husband of 60 years, James F. McQuillen. Betty and Jim raised seven children while operating Farrant's Greenhouse.  Betty took pleasure in attending the many events her children and grand children participated in over the years.  She looked forward each year to her high school reunion, the Jenks Family reunion, and the chicken pot pie suppers at the United Church in Newport.

She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, her brother-in-law Robert Kent, sister-in-law Lois Jenks, and her son-in-law Jerome Ernest. She is survived by her children, Kathleen, Karen, James, Terrie and her partner John Garvey, Tracie and her husband Gregg, John, Mary and her husband Peter. Also surviving her: grandchildren Abigail Paul (Daniel Lynch), Patrick Paul (Dr Paige Paul), Amelia Ernest, Samuel Lanternier, Maxwell McQuillen, Daniel Lanternier, Troy Ernest, Margaret McQuillen, and Madeline and Victoria McQuillen Slocombe; great-grandchildren Benjamin, Emma and Charlotte Lynch and Luca Paul. She was fondly known to her great-grandchildren as Triple G (Great Greenhouse Grammy). Also survived by her sister, Shirley Kent, and her brothers Douglas (Pete) Jenks and William (Bill) Jenks (Jean Sargent) by her sister-in-law Mary McQuillen, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was a member of the American Legion Post 21 and the VFW Auxilary Unit 798.

Visiting hours are Saturday, September 7th from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at the Curtis Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 37 Lake Road in Newport, immediately followed by a funeral service with Rev. Laurence Wall officiating. The burial will take place at the Lake Road Cemetery, Lake Road, Newport Center.  In loving memory of Betty, donations may be made to the Newport Rotary Club Foundation PO Box 166, Newport, VT  05855. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.