Obituary of Helen Bettina

Helen Bettina Town of Wappinger - Helen Bettina, a longtime resident of the Chelsea area, entered into rest Sunday, May 2, 2010 surrounded by her family at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. She was 88. She was the daughter of the late Felix and Angelina Liccardo Costa. Helen was born October 14, 1921 in the Village of Wappingers Falls. She attended Wappingers Central Schools. On November 15, 1941, she married the love of her life, Frank Bettina at St. Mary's Church in the Village of Wappingers Falls. They enjoyed sixty-eight years of marriage. Mr. Bettina predeceased her only eight weeks ago on February 28, 2010. Helen was a great friend and mother to many. She enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. She looked forward to the family trips to Lake George and Anna Maria Island in Florida. Mrs. Bettina retired from Kemp and Beatley and had also worked for Gottliebs and Sweet Orr in the Village of Wappingers Falls. She is survived by her son, Vincent Bettina and his fianc�e, Susan Kennedy of the Town of Wappinger; her daughter, Angela Bettina and her fianc�, Tom Della Corte of the Town of Wappinger; her sister, Marion DiGiovanni of the Town of Poughkeepsie and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her brothers, Anthony, Joseph and John Costa and her sisters, Nancy Watts, Grace Beverland, Angelina Doris Cooke and Anna Turco. The family wishes to thank Fr. Farley of St. Mary's Church in Poughkeepsie, the Staff at Vassar Brothers Medical Center South Circle 6, Dr. Apentang, Dr. Lee and Dr. Agoliati. Family will receive their friends and family on Thursday, May 6, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 7 at St. Mary Mother of the Church, 101 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Interment will follow in St. Joachim's Cemetery, 303 Washington Avenue, Beacon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Helen's name to the American Heart Association, 301 Manchester Road, Suite 105, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; American Cancer Society, 2678 South Road, Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or Hospice, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.