Betty A. Hittmeier, 80

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Betty Ann (Lay) Hittmeier,  80, of Warren, ME, died on Sunday, May 10, 2020, at her home with her husband and daughter by her side.

Mrs. Hittmeier was born at her parent’s farm home, south of Litchfield, on April 16, 1940, to Otto and Lorene (Randle) Lay. She married Michael Hittmeier on June 17, 1961, they moved to Maine when he retired in 2001.

Mrs. Hittmeier graduated from eighth grade at Hickory Grove, a one room country school. She went on to Litchfield High School, graduating as salutatorian of her class. Mrs. Hittmeier then attended Eastern Illinois University, where she earned a bachelor of science in education with high honors.

Mr. and Mrs. Hittmeier moved many times during their marriage. After moving to North Carolina with her husband, she worked in the animal husbandry lab at the University of North Carolina where she worked specifically with bovine nutrition. Following a move to Wisconsin, Mrs. Hittmeier began working for the insurance company GMAC. When her husband began his PhD program at Syracuse University she transferred to the insurance company’s office in Syracuse, NY.

Mrs. Hittmeier was an avid tennis player and made many enduring friendships through the sport. She enjoyed playing competitive singles and doubles in USTA tennis leagues in Georgia and Maine and continued to play doubles into her seventies.

Although she was away for most of her life, she retained the heart of a farm girl and never lost her love for the people of Litchfield, the farm animals and crops.

Mrs. Hittmeier is survived by her beloved husband; daughter, Christine (Peter) of Madison, CT; grandson, Alexander of Los Angeles, CA; brother, Ross (Mary) Lay of Litchfield; several sisters-in-law; a brother-in-law; nieces; nephews; cousins; and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.