Betty Champney

It is with our deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved mother and matriarch, Betty (Holden) Champney, on October 1st, 2026, the daughter of George and Mable (Bacon) Holden. Betty was born in Athens, VT, on August 7th, 1930. 3rd of five children, she and her family moved to Charlestown, NH, where she attended school and later graduated from Holden High School in Charlestown in 1949. During this period, Betty was introduced to Kennith Champney, and although their connection was immediate, Betty traveled to Tempe, Arizona, to study art. Love, however, would not be denied. Kennith soon left New Hampshire for Arizona to be with his heart’s one desire. They were married in Tempe Arizona, January 12th, 1952. Shortly after their marriage, they returned to New Hampshire to assist family members. Their first child arrived in January 1956, Denise Darleen, their second, Lori Jeanne, in 1959.

Betty was a highly gifted and empathetic woman. She would fry donuts and supply homemade baked beans to the Charlestown Fire Department. She was a Brownie Troop leader, which she enjoyed very much. Her excellence in math led her to be the principal account/bookkeeper for Ken’s Trucking and Welding, her husband’s enterprise.

Betty’s artistry found its way into many aspects of her life. She was a gifted natural artist. Her drawings held a vibrancy that made you feel like they were truly alive. She loved music and played the drums in her school band. She loved singing. When she worked, she sang, and when she sang, she sang with her whole heart.

She was an excellent cook, turning simple ingredients into wonderful meals. She was a skillful and artistic baker. Christmas would find her making date nut candy and zucchini bread for family gifts. For birthdays, she would create beautifully realistic decorated cakes that tasted as good as they looked.

Betty, charitable by nature, was a life long contributor to a variety of humanitarian organizations. She believed it was important to do what you can, when you can, to make the world a better place.

Although a self-described loner, she loved people, books, other people’s pets, and most of all her family.

From the day she was born, Betty Jane Holden was filled with an almost childlike wonder.

Everything fascinated her. She had a deep love of nature. Flowers were her favorite thing, particularly carnations and gladioli, which brought her so much joy. The dining room table always had a vase full of fresh, brightly colored flowers that she would talk about during her meals, making certain that every person who entered the room noticed them and appreciated them as much as she did.

Her heart that was full of love. She loved people. She loved every moment of life, and most of all, she loved Kennith Champney. They met young. They weren't together long when they knew they wanted to share the rest of their lives. They got married. Their love guided them through wars, turbulent history, and a growing nation. They were together for over seventy years. Through good times, and hard times, they stood side by side, hand in hand, through it all. Together, they had a family. A family of blood, and those she chose to call family. She was the glue that held her children, her grandchildren, and many others together. She guided the family through their trials and was always there for advice or comfort.

She was loved by any who met her. Her warmth filled a room and made its way into those with her.

This world will be a little darker without her light in it. Any who knew her, loved her, those loved by her were made better people for having her in their lives. We will cherish all the hugs, the deep love, and the endless stories of her life. She will be missed.

Betty was predeceased by her spouse of 74 years, Kennith F. Champney. sisters Ruth Petipas and her husband John, Alice Merrill and her husband Ted, Amy Kinney and her Husband Henry, nephews Stanley, Danny, and Ronald Merrill, George Clarke, nieces Joy Kinney Carrier, Linda and Connie Clarke.

She is survived by her sister Darlene Hosley, her daughters Denise Partridge, Lori Wike and her husband Doug, her grandchildren Cameron Champney, Ifoma Genevieve Rothblatt and her husband Major Eli Rothblatt, Tyler Champney and wife Amanda, Ody Elesi, Chichi Elesi, and Aramis Manley, as well as an extensive retinue of family and friends.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 6th at 11am at Pine Crest Cemetery in Charlestown, NH off the Old Claremont Road. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to one’s choice.