Obituary of Elizabeth Theresa Auwerda

Elizabeth Auwerda, better known as Betty, age 76, of Pine Brook, NJ, (formerly of Hewitt, NJ) passed away on February 19th. Daughter of Dr. John F. & Gertrude (Urell) Auwerda and sister to Jack, Mary, Jane, and Ann, Betty spent her youngest years in Brooklyn, NY with summers spent in the Awosting section of Hewitt, NJ on Greenwood Lake. She attended St. Saviour High School and attended Marymount College. Her love of Greenwood Lake and all her wonderful summer childhood memories led her to settle down on Ramapo Road in Awosting. Betty raised her children, played tennis with friends, enjoyed the lake and visits with her sister, Mary, and was a good friend to many. Betty took on a career as receptionist at Touche Ross in New York City. She gained skills and confidence and then joined Reliance Group Holdings, first as a receptionist and later as a telecommunication specialist and office manager. In her later working years, Betty brought her skills to the Law Offices of Casha & Casha in Montville, NJ. Betty is predeceased by her sister Mary Royle of Hewitt, NJ and survived by her brother Jack & his wife, Adelaide of Rehobeth Beach, DE, her sister, Jane & her late husband Ed Dunphy of Vero Beach, FL, and her sister, Ann Crawley of Darien, CT. Throughout the years, Betty enjoyed many chats over cups of tea with her sister, Mary. She loved the beach and enjoyed many wonderful vacations with her sister, Ann. Later in life she took up watercolor painting and shared her ideas and some laughs with her sister, Jane. Betty appreciated Jack’s help with all the fix-it tasks when she was on her own at Ramapo Road. Betty navigated through many personal challenges in life and found comfort in the love and support of her children and grandchildren. Her presence in our lives reminds us to cherish what is good, to persevere through darker days, and to always move forward, hopeful for a brighter future. Even when her health slowed her down, Betty’s indomitable spirit shined on. She is survived by her six children - Laura, John, Lisa, Linda, Steven, and Peter and their spouses Carlos Bilbao, Randy Loessel, Al Mayers & Irene Hamm. She had great hopes for her eleven grandchildren – David, Rachel, Jordan, Amelia, Alecia, Daniel, Lorenzo, Kaitlyn, Zachary, Christopher, and Jack. She leaves behind loving thoughts to her friends and family including many wonderful nieces and nephews. The family welcomes you to celebrate her life at the funeral Mass on Saturday, at 10 AM at St. Pius X Church, 24 Changebridge Road, Montville, NJ. Visiting hours will be Friday from 4-8 PM at the funeral home. Contributions can be made in her name to the Montville First Aid Squad, 137 Changebridge Road, Montville, NJ 07045