HAVERHILL - Surrounded by her family, Betty "Don't call me Elizabeth" McKinnon passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Portland Maine she spent her teenage years in Winston-Salem, NC then her adult life in Groveland and Haverhill.

With her view that if you want something you work for it, she began working at the age of 14 after fibbing about her age. Although she worked in the corporate world at Digital for years, she preferred to do anything not involving a cubicle; from driving school busses when her girls were young, to driving a wheelchair van for the disabled until she was 65, 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, or playing with her cats or computer games online. She loved meeting people and would have them telling her their life stories within 10 minutes.

After eloping to Hawaii, Betty spent the rest of her life with her husband and best friend, Ron McKinnon. They enjoyed every day of the 33 years that they were together and showed everyone who knew them how wonderful true love can be.

Betty/Gram was fiercely devoted to her family, always thinking of them first and foremost. She was always there for her family at any time and without question. She is survived by her daughter Lisa MacAllister and husband Rob of Bradford, daughter Barbie Venturi and husband Tony of Barrington, NH, son Dan McKinnon and fiancé Tricia of Haverhill plus her beloved grandchildren: Kim, Brian, Amanda, Leah, Isabella and great granddaughter MacKenzie. Her extended family included brother-in-law Dick McKinnon and his wife Annette of Hudson, NH who were traveling companions for 20 years; nephews and nieces Gary and Maura McKinnon of Arlington, Jay and Kelly McKinnon of Nashua, NH, and Ryan and Colleen McKinnon of Tyngsboro, along with their combined seven children. Rounding out the list are Tony's sons Anthony and Michael, Tricia's sons Tyler and Mason, her so-called 3rd daughter Shelia Dunbar of Manchester, NH, and lifelong friend Beth Faulk of North Carolina. Her wonderful smile, twinkling eyes, and a tilted sense of humor that made everyone laugh will be deeply missed. Her passing has left a huge hole in our family and our hearts. We will love her forever.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 19 in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street, Haverhill from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Private services will be 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. For online guestbook please visit www.driscollcares.com