Beth Ellen Burrage

TOPSHAM – Beth Ellen Burrage (née Sanborn), 77, of Topsham, died peacefully while surrounded by family on Sept. 10, 2024, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice after a brief battle with cancer.

Beth was born in South Portland. She was educated in South Portland public schools and graduated from Colby College where she met her future husband Tom. She then pursued teacher training at Boston University’s School of Education followed by a masters degree in American literature at Clark University.

After marrying in 1970, Beth and Tom spent their early years together in Massachusetts enjoying Boston and Worcester. They then moved to Connecticut where Beth focused on being a devoted mother to Peter and kindling her lifelong dedication to the improvement of women’s health. She started as a volunteer at Planned Parenthood in Old Saybrook, Conn., and 30 years later she retired as their clinic manager. The work was challenging and rewarding, and she provided guidance and comfort to innumerable young women and men over those many years. 

Beth loved to move and to be physically active. From dancing while growing up, to Jazzercise with Jane in the ’80s, to step aerobics through the 2010s, and then yoga, nature trail walking, and personal training through the 2020s. 

Beth loved books and was a voracious reader: Contemporary books, classic books, books about Maine, books by Maine authors. She deeply enjoyed talking about books with like-minded women and her book groups were spirited and joyful occasions with her laughter often driving their conversations.

Beth’s retirement meant a return to their beloved Maine, time with her dad, and being a grandmother to her three loving and spirited granddaughters. In Highland Green, Beth and Tom found a wonderfully alive and supportive community filled with like-minded friends. Beth was actively involved in the local community as a board member of Highland Green’s co-op and also served the larger Midcoast Maine community as a board member for the Maine Women’s Giving Tree, a charitable organization dedicated to funding the needs of local women, children, and families.

Owing to her mother’s ancestry, Beth had an interest in all things Scandinavian. She enjoyed Nordic noir films and police dramas and took retirement as an opportunity to travel. In recent years, she and Tom went on multiple incredible trips exploring in and around Norway, Iceland, and Greenland, soaking in the landscapes, the history, the people, and the temperature.

Beth was the only child of Arline Sanborn (née Jorgensen) and Oakley R. Sanborn who predeceased her. She leaves behind her husband Tom, son Peter, daughter-in-law Joi, and her three devoted granddaughters.

Special thanks for providing Beth remarkable care and compassion go to the Neurosurgery, Medicine, and nursing teams at Maine Medical Center and Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.

A private interment will be held in Cape Elizabeth. A remembrance ceremony will be held for friends and family later in the fall. Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Planned Parenthood of your choice or to the Maine Women’s Giving Tree (https://mainewomensgivingtree.org/donate/)