HALLOWELL - A fighter, survivor and overall strong-willed woman, Elizabeth J. Smith, 80, died peacefully on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, after a two-year battle with cancer. She was born in Gardiner on July 12, 1930, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Fraser) Emery. Betty was educated in Hallowell schools and attended Hallowell High School. Soon after, she became employed by Hallowell Shoe Co. and, in 1950, married John E. Smith. Years later, she worked for Health-Tex until her retirement. Between her employment with Hallowell Shoe and Health-Tex, Betty would become a foster mother to three children, as well as taking great care of, and keeping a close eye on, many of the other children in her neighborhood. She loved the outdoors; in her younger years, she liked hunting, birds mostly but also deer. She enjoyed going to craft fairs, and she spent many hours quilting pillows as well as making many other kinds of crafts. The family would like to send a special thank you to the Augusta Rehabilitation Center, Country Manor Nursing Home, and the staff on A1 at MaineGeneral Medical Center for the love and care they showed for Betty throughout her illness. Betty was predeceased by her husband, John; her daughter, Linda Smith, shortly after birth; and two brothers, Kenneth and Leroy Emery. She is survived by her two sons, John E. Smith and his wife, Diane, of Readfield and Carl G. Smith of Manchester; two brothers, Bill Emery and his wife, Gertrude, of West Gardiner and Keith Emery and his wife, Linda, of Gardiner; two sisters, Mary Hilliard and her husband, Leroy, of Wales and Gloria Labbe and her husband, Neil, of Augusta; grandchildren, Bill Smith, Meghan Rollins, Robert Smith and longtime girlfriend, Angela Edwards, Kaly Smith and special 'adopted' granddaughter Nichole Wheeler; as well as two great-granddaughters, Morgan Smith and Kenzie Edwards. She is also survived by her loving pomeranian companion, Cricket. Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1 Church St., Augusta, where a celebration of Betty's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday with burial immediately after in Hallowell Cemetery. Following, all are welcome and encouraged to attend a reception at 1 p.m. at the American Legion Alfred W. Maxwell Jr. Post 40 in Winthrop. For those who wish, donations in Betty's memory may be made to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care, P.O. Box 828, Waterville, ME 04903-0828. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.