Florence (Betty) Paul passed away on June 15th, 2024 in Vero Beach, Florida. Betty was born on May 19th, 1928 to Vera Elizabeth Grove Carney and William Aloysius Carney in White Plains, New York. Betty was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Chatham, New York and St Helen’s Church, Vero Beach, FL.
Betty graduated from White Plains High School in 1946. Upon her graduation her well laid out plan was to further her education and attend college in New York City. Before entering college in the Fall of 1946 she worked as a telephone operator in the City of White Plains. But … in just a few short weeks on the job, the telephone company went on strike. Well, her country cousin, Nancy Jones Kanabe, called Betty and said “come on up here, Chatham, New York, our telephone company is hiring telephone operators. So, Betty thought it might be fun to spend the summer months with her 12 country cousins, the Jones’ family, who resided on Hudson Avenue in Chatham, New York. Besides, it is much cooler in the country during July and August rather than the City of White Plains. This decision would radically change Betty’s well laid out plan to attend College in the City and be a “City girl”. You see, she met the Love of her Life that summer at a Country Square Dance, my dad, Esmond “Frank” Paul Jr. Betty never returned to White Plains and they were married on September 25th, 1948. Betty became a “country gal”.
Betty gave birth to their son, John, in 1950, and me, Patty, in 1951. Betty continued to work at the Telephone Company, then as a cashier at the local A&P Grocery store (where she could keep closer tabs on her growing children). As her children were becoming a bit more responsible teenagers (so she thought) Betty began a career for the New York State Social Services Division as a social worker/counselor until her retirement in June of 1983. Betty was active as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women’s Auxiliary, a Brownie Troop Leader, a Girl Scouts Group Leader and in the Boys Scouts. She never missed a band concert her daughter played in or any of the many sport events in which her son participated. John was much more athletic than I.
Upon Betty and Frank’s retirement they became “snowbirds”, spending their summers in Ghent, New York and winters in Vero Beach, FL. They traveled in their camper to several of our National Parks, enjoyed a round of golf, an energetic game of tennis, or sailing on their 30’ sailboat, but most of all, just simply being together.
Each and every morning, my mom read the newspaper from cover to cover, completed her crossword puzzle and/or her sudoku puzzle. She believed these kept her mind very sharp, and she was right – they did just that. Betty was also an avid Duplicate Bridge player, playing at the Vero Beach Bridge Center every week, perhaps twice a week.
Betty leaves behind so many who loved her. She will be remembered as a kind, giving, caring, selfless person that one will ever meet. She was always concerned about the other person rather than herself. She never had a bad word about anyone. She was the person who would stop on her way out of the restaurant or the store to tell a parent how adorable their child was, or stop to tell a stranger how lovely one’s hair was that day. Betty was the one who could not walk by anyone without saying “Hello” and asking how their day was, even if perhaps her day was not all that perfect. But, also, no-one should underestimate how strong she was. As in all families, ours too had our adversities. Through all of them, mom persevered, taking care of whomever needed a helpful hand, a loving hug, or a “we’ll get through this together”.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Patricia Rizzo, of Vero Beach, FL, her four grandchildren, Brad (Justine) Paul of Wayland, MA; Kim Garland (Kenny) of Poughkeepsie, NY; Ann (Joe) of Valatie, NY; and Kurt (Stephanie) Paul of Valatie, NY; of whom she was so proud, and five great-grandchildren, Jayden, Gabriella, Lucas, Kylie and Caleb.
We love you and miss you ………..
Betty was predeceased by her brother, William Carney, of Saratoga Springs, New York; her husband, Esmond “Frank” Paul Jr., of Vero Beach, FL; and her son, John Paul, of Stattsburg, New York.
Betty will be laid to rest in the Chatham Rural Cemetery, Chatham, N.Y., next to her loving husband of 73 years, Frank, and her son, John. Upon Betty’s passing from this life to her eternal resting place, I can hear Frank, my dad, say to Betty, my mom, “Hey Blue Eyes, come sit next to me”.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements are under the direction of Millennium Cremation Service, Vero Beach. Condolences may be shared online at www.millenniumcremationservice.com.