BETHELITES HAVE GAINED

To the Editor:

Bethel has lost a unique personality with the passing of Margaret Joy Tibbetts. I could never meet her or talk with her without a feeling of deep respect — even if it was just a “Good morning” greeting in the post office. Her reply was most always a crisp, “Good morning, Donald.”

The thirty-plus active years she lived in Bethel after her retirement produced an untold number of valuable changes in Bethel life. She was always candid, frank, insightful, and direct. It was difficult to misunderstand her.

In 1979 Margaret completed a detailed history of the Bethel library association, which tells us how today’s library got that way. Her account was printed in the 1979 Bethel Town Report. To quote her:

“The original purpose of its (library) founders was to raise the level of literary taste in Bethel and to raise the level of general intelligence. Many high-minded and hard-working citizens have worked to these ends; no one can be compelled to read good books, but making them available means that those who wish to read are given opportunities not otherwise possible for them. And for the non-serious readers many hours of pleasure are provided.”

She has compiled alone or with others systematic narratives of past events about the Congregational Church, Grafton, and the town’s doctors. From her work and guidance for others, we have gained a better understanding of where we Bethelites stand today.

Donald G. Bennett

Bethel