Elizabeth Ann Sullivan Bern “Betsy”, a longtime resident of New Rochelle, died on July 9, 2016. She was 84.
Betsy was born on February 25, 1932 in Bridgeport, CT to the late John and Ann (Larkin) Sullivan and was raised by her loving aunt Katherine Larkin.
Betsy was a teacher at Blessed Sacrament High School for over 22 years, where she was the first female member of the faculty and initiated the Senior Religion Service Project. She volunteered at Sound Shore Medical Center for over 15 years.
She is survived by her husband Raymond Bern whom she married on June 24, 1954; her daughter Cathryn Frances Bern-Smith and her husband Steven Smith; her son Paul Henry Bern and his wife Kim Parr; her granddaughter Naomi Parr Bern, her sister Rosemary Howard, her sisters-in-law Shirley Sullivan and Barbara Gordon, and her brother-in-law James Howard. She was pre-deceased by her brothers, Bob and Jack Sullivan, her sister-in-law Eleanor Sullivan and brother-in-law Gerald Gordon, her nephews Terry and Barry Sullivan and her niece Lisa Howard Spillane. She is survived by a very large extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews. Her best friend since the sixth grade, Diane Smith Drugge and husband Everett Drugge, also survive her.
Betsy was involved throughout her lifetime in many worthwhile community and church activities. At Blessed Sacrament Church, she was a member of the Parish Council when it was first formed after the Second Vatican Council, the Marian Chorale, Blessed Mother’s Sodality, and in 1969 was the founder and director of Blessed Sacrament Folk Sounds, the first parish contemporary music group that played at the 10:00 Mass for many years.
Betsy organized a group of children at 60 and 70 Locust Avenue in the early 1960’s to form a choir to sing Christmas Carols throughout the two-building complex. The choir collected money and all of the proceeds were donated to the New Rochelle Campership Fund. A picture of the choir was published in the Standard Star.
She was also very involved in local Democratic politics and worked as a poll watcher for many elections. She proudly voted for Hillary Clinton in the New York State Presidential Primary.
One of her most enjoyable community activities was as a member of the cast of several musical theatre productions in the Blessed Sacrament Community Theater under the direction of Joe Martini. She played Mrs. Harcourt in Anything Goes, Sue in Bells Are Ringing, Mrs. Upton in Mame, and Mrs. Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie. Her crowning theatrical achievement was as Bloody Mary in South Pacific.
The family is very grateful for the many expressions of condolences and comfort they have received during this very difficult time.
Visiting will be Thursday 2-4 & 7-9pm at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel Inc. 16 Shea Pl. New Rochelle, NY 10805. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Friday 9:30am at Blessed Sacrament Church. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Putnam Valley, NY. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to United Hebrew Geriatric Center, Pelham Road New Rochelle.