Elizabeth (Betty) Dorothy Walsh


Elizabeth (Betty) Dorothy Walsh, 90, formerly of East Islip, NY and Indian Land, SC, passed away peacefully with family at her side on Sunday, October 17, 2021, in Ipswich MA. Betty is survived by her three children and their spouses, Charles and Karen Walsh (South Glastonbury, CT); Babette and James Hushon (Charlotte, NC); and Pamela and Thomas Warren (Topsfield, MA); former husband and friend Charles Walsh (Charlotte, NC);grandchildren Jillian (Andrew Baker);Lauren (Christian Yarbrough); Christen (Jeff Hotton);Abigail Warren; Megan Walsh; Grant Warren; Brett Hushon (Chloe);great grandson Everett Baker; her sister Victoria Rakowski (Oyster Bay, NY);many loving nieces; nephews; cousins; family; and friends of all ages. Betty was predeceased by her parents Albert and Victoria (Zalewski) Rebelowski; brother Theodore Rebelowski and his former wife Lynn; sister Florence and her husband Peter Jankowsky; brother in-law Joseph Rakowski; and two dear nieces.

Born in Brooklyn, NY she grew up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Ridgewood, Queens. Betty attended Polish elementary school Our Lady of Consolation, Queen of All Saints middle school and graduated as a class president from Bishop McDonnell high school in Brooklyn. She was the inaugural salesperson for Foodies, selling the first prepackaged individual servings of jams, now commonly used worldwide. Betty had a successful 34-year career with New York Telephone Company and NYNEX, working throughout Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Boston advancing to Director of Customer Service and HR Development from Maine to Montauk. She also conducted management assessments across the country for AT&T. She was a trailblazer, achieving “first woman” status in many job titles and on the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce. As president of the Suffolk Chapter of Zonta International, a professional women’s organization, she had the opportunity to attend tea in the White House with Pat Nixon. Betty led several corporate United Way campaigns and volunteered as a CASA advocate for abused and neglected children. She was an honored recipient of the Red Cross Clara Barton Humanitarian Award and The Mayor Koch NYC Award.

In retirement, she travelled extensively to all continents except Antarctica and thrived on exploring the landscape and various cultures of the globe. As a member of the International Friendship Force, Betty hosted universal members in her home. Gardening and entertaining were her favorite pastimes while at

home in her beloved Bridgehampton (SC) community. Betty’s gift for hospitality was a joy to her family and friends. A party at Betty’s was an extraordinary experience for all in attendance. Her recipes are cherished by family and friends.

Betty was an intelligent, warm, and gracious “people person” with a welcoming smile. She remembered with amazing clarity details about people and places which reflected her ability to be present, engaged, and empathetic in her relationships. Her optimism generated her unwavering courage in all her endeavors. She was an inspiration to her friends and family and will be missed and lovingly remembered.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Residence at Riverbend in Ipswich and the Care Dimensions hospice team who all provided Betty with an outstanding level of care. A celebration of Betty’s wonderful life will be held in 2022.

Donations may be made in Betty’s name to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To donate, search Ways to Give->Create a fund->Find a fund->Betty Walsh or directly via the link:

https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/GiftFunds/GiftFunds?px=7263992&pg=personal&fr_id=39300

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