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Edibe Mehmet

Edibe “Bette” Mehmet of Branford passed away peacefully at home on March 30, 2024, at the age of 92. She was the wife of the late Edip “Eddie” Mehmet. She was the mother of Robert (Terri) Mehmet of Naples, Florida, Ronald Mehmet of Branford, and Diane (Gregg) Fredericks of North Haven, along with her honorary son Barry (Lucille) Joseph of Guilford. She is also survived by her beloved granddaughter, Jamie Fredericks. She was predeceased by her brother, James Shaker. Bette was born in Kuc, Albania, and came to America through Ellis Island when she was three years old with her parents, Shefket and Resmia Shaker, and settled in Waterbury.

After graduating from Wilby High School in 1950, she married and moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she became a consummate bookkeeper and accounted for every penny! After living in New York for over 40 years, Bette made it back to Connecticut when her family opened a restaurant, The Gold Coast Grille, in Branford. Here, Bette worked many hours supporting her family and business in many capacities. Bette was a member of the Albanian Women’s Club and Canoe Brook Senior Center, where she enjoyed playing bingo and coloring. It is here that she met Linda Manning, who not only became a dear friend but later became her caretaker for the last several months of her life. Among her hobbies, she enjoyed reading, crocheting, watching old movies, and The Game Show Network. A trip to the mall and hoping to win it big at the casino were some of Bette’s favorite pastimes. She especially looked forward to spending time at her brother and sister-in-law’s Jimmy and Patricia’s lakehouse. It was here that the family would gather and reunite every summer, making memories that would last a lifetime. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Mickey (Gail) Mehmet of Brooklyn. Bette leaves behind several nieces and nephews, Michael, Delinda, Thomas, and Analise Mehmet Jud,y Barrie, and Michael Shaker, along with other special people in her life, including her sister-in-law, Loretta Shaker, Christopher Fredericks, Ami Mezezi, Kelly Masi, Casey Barrie, and Kyle and Kevin Yarkosky. Her family would like to thank Missy Fredericks for her care and support, Yale New Haven Health at Home and Hospice nurses Darlene and Anna, as well as Linda Manning. This allowed Bette to remain in her home and pass peacefully.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford, and may attend a funeral service at 9:15 a.m. Friday, April 5, at Chase Parkway Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury. Burial will follow in New Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterbury. Memorial donations may be made to Yale New Haven Health at Home and Hospice, 753 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437, or the Albanian Mosque, 38 Raymond Street, Waterbury. For directions and an online memorial, see www.wsclancy.com.