Elizabeth "Betty" Hetherington, née Tarasuk, died on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at her home in Basking Ridge, NJ. She was born on May 8, 1925 in Newark, NJ to Anna and Tomas Tarasuk, immigrants from Russia. Betty was the third of five children, and the last of the siblings to survive.
Determined to acquire an education, Betty took advantage of the nurse training program at the University of Michigan during WWII.
She married Alexander Hetherington in 1946. They had four children: Kim, John, Scott and Liza. While making homes in Mountainside, Berkeley Heights, Summit, Adrian (Michigan) and Westfield, she attended college, completing her BA and obtaining two Master's degrees. She taught elementary and middle school reading in the Westfield public schools for 30 years. After retirement, Betty taught ESL at Union County College. She loved her work and was a devoted tutor to many.
Betty took up costume designing and won the State Theatre of New Jersey Perry Award. She was an accomplished painter and Master Gardener. Endlessly curious, she travelled all over the world. She had a fearless spirit and was committed to helping others and making the world a better place.
Betty's husband Alexander predeceased her. She will be missed by her children, their spouses, her granddaughter Hannah, her step-grandchildren Richard, Dan and Laura, and her step-great-grandchildren Grace, Claire, Jack and Luca. Her friends, too, will be bereft of a shining presence in their lives.
A memorial service will be held in the spring. Contributions in her name can be made to: The Children's Aid Society, 117 W. 124th St., New York, NY 10027, or on-line at:
www.childrensaidnyc.org/donate.
Arrangements are by Gray Funeral Home, Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.
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