Betty Lorraine (Quade) Courchen, 81, of Mechanicsville, MD died Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at Medstar St. Mary's Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Born April 30, 1932 in Orrington, Maine she was the daughter of the late Nettie O. Stinson and Alfred K. Landry.

Betty has been a resident of St. Mary's County for most of her life, moving here from Maine when she was a young adult. The mother of seven children, Betty was very active in their lives. She volunteered at St. John's Catholic School where her children attended and played many roles which included coaching basketball and was a big part of the Athletic Booster's Club at Chopticon High School. She was involved in the formation of a Women's and Men's Horseshoe League in St. Mary's County.

Betty played softball for the St. Mary's County Women's league which led to her induction into the Softball Hall of Fame of St. Mary's. She was a past member of the Loyal Order of the Cooties, of the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge #495, and a life member of the VFW Post #2632 Ladies Auxiliary. She was known at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home for her many years of volunteering.

In addition, Betty worked many different jobs; she retired as a postal carrier from the Mechanicsville Post Office, but most recently as a cook for Sandgates Inn, where she was kindly known as "Aunt Betty". Betty enjoyed gardening and could get anything to grow. Her cactus plants would always bloom on time for the holidays. She liked to cook, knit and crochet, and spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her children, Christopher Quade (Mimi) of Mechanicsville, MD, Kenneth Quade of Layton, Utah, Constance Johnson (Randy) of Hollywood, MD, Karen Leach (Charles) of Lusby, MD, Cynthia Finch of Hollywood, MD, Claudia Unkle (Mark) of Callaway, MD, and Kathleen Nelson (George) of Mechanicsville, MD. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Betty was predeceased by both of her husbands, the late Richard C. Quade and the late William Andrew Courchen , her great-granddaughter Madison Thompson, step-father Roger Hazelton, sister Beverly Lewis and brother Pete Hazelton.

Family will receive friends on Monday, September 30, 2013 from 5 to 8 p.m., with prayers recited at 7 p.m., by Deacon Lloyd at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Funeral Service will be held in the Brinsfield Funeral Home chapel on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be six of her grandsons: Jason Johnson, Steven Finch, Tony Quade, Jimmy Quade, Cody Leach, and Ryan Nelson. Honorary Pallbearers will be her other grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, 29449 Charlotte Hall Road, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.