Betty (Phoebe) E. DallVechia Martuscello

3/27/1922-12/14/2022

Posted

      We lost our Mother, teacher, mentor, friend, aunt, and grandmother on December 14th. While we mourn her loss, we have many cherished memories from the tapestry of her life. She loved her life and drew inspiration from her many experiences. From her early years working on the family farm, there was no task too small or too large for Betty to handle. She developed a strong work ethic and a "roll up your sleeves and get the job done" attitude.

             Having done well as a student at MSC, Betty graduated early and went on to college, attending Hartwick where she found the two loves of her life. There she met her future husband, Dan Martuscello, and she entered the field of education. Upon graduating, she returned to Marlboro to begin her teaching career. Dan soon followed and they wed on 12/1/1946.

             She brought to teaching her quiet, but firm demeanor. Whether in the classroom, organizing graduations, school proms, class trips, projects, being yearbook advisor, department head, or class advisor to many, she had the energy and drive to do it all, but also the compassion and insight to help those in need in or out of the classroom. Her love of teaching and her students was genuine, and it never ceased to amaze her family how she remembered so many faces, voices, and names, but also could recall the type of student the person was. Betty gave to many but received back her joy of life and ability to live through each and every one of us. Her grandchildren saw her as an inspirational rose model considering all the people who knew her.

             Her retirement did not slow her down, just changed the roles she took on.  Joining an AARP Group, she helped organize their activities. Seeing a need for a similar organization for retired teachers in the area, she undertook organizing such a group, holding various offices in it herself as well as organizing events for it. She started fundraisers for student scholarships pulling in family, friends, teachers, and many local businesses to contribute to the cause. Betty was a force to be reckoned with when she sought to help others.

             One would think with such a career, where would family and friends fit in? She made time, whether it was the annual Jersey shore vacation, attending school events, sporting events, graduations, dance recitals of family or friends' children. She would be there. Betty helped to put on team dinners, an annual Easter egg hunt, family events, as well as holidays. All were important to her. Betty shared with her family her love of the shore, holidays, travel, and traditions including Sunday dinners which she has passed on to her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed many trips, some with friends to Alaska, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, and more. She loved family trips out west to see her grandchildren or to Italy to visit with her cousins. She loved her phone calls with family and friends and keeping tabs on her former students and community.

       During her lifetime, Betty received many awards and much well-deserved recognition, but her greatest joy was teaching and sharing her knowledge. Whether it was helping a community group such as the Lions Club and UNICO reviewing and judging essays, or nieces, nephews, and grandchildren submitting school papers, work proposals, resumes, etc., submit it and you would get the written comments and encouragement in red ink on how to improve it. She was always willing to help and contribute her expertise.

             She will live on through each and every one that she touched.

             We thank the many medical providers, Dr. Alan Zambito and family, Dr. Sam Schenker and staff, Dr. Nathanson and Dr. Jacobs, all of whom took such good care of her as well as always having time to fit her in. We thank her caregivers who looked after her and kept her going over the last two years, Stephanie, Petrona, Marie, Mishayla, and Melissa. Also, we thank the staff at Vassar Brothers Hospital and Hudson Valley Hospice for providing comfort and peace in her final days.

             Betty is survived by her son Peter and wife Lynn, daughter Donna and husband Kevin, son Dan and wife Linda, grandchildren, Michelle, Daniel, Danielle, Gina, Steven, Trisha, Diana and great grandchildren Genevieve, Layna, Logan, Owen, and Julia as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Dan Martuscello, granddaughter Genevieve, parents Joseph and Julia DallVechia, brother Joseph (Jigger) DallVechia, and his wife Jenny, and sister Patricia Mannese and  her husband Peter.

             In lieu of flowers, one may make donations in memory of Betty to either of the following:

 Marlboro Faculty Association: Martuscello Scholarship c/o Ray Leduc, P.O. Box 996, Marlboro, NY 12542  or St. James-St. Mary's Catholic Church Food Pantry, P.O. Box 730, Marlboro, NY 12542-0730

 Calling hours will be held on Wednesday 2-4 & 6-8pm at the DiDonato Funeral Home, 1290 Route 9W, Marlboro.

  A mass of Christian burial will be offered on Thursday morning at 10am at St. Mary's Church, 1209 Route 9W, Marlboro.

 Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh.

 Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the DiDonato Funeral Service, Inc. (845) 236-4300,

www.didonatofuneralservice.com