GENEVA, NY – Elizabeth J. (Bette) Hart, 96, passed away peacefully on Thursday (August 26, 2021) at Living Center at Geneva North, where she has resided for over 8 years.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the St. Francis de Sales-St. Stephen’s School Memorial Fund, 17 Elmwood Avenue, Geneva, NY 14456 or to Happiness House, 731 Pre-Emption Road, Geneva, NY 14456.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday (Sept. 2)) from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at McGuigan & Bero Funeral Home, 45 High Street, Geneva. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday (Sept. 3) at 12:00 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church, 48 Pulteney Street, Geneva. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery
Bette was born in Elmira, NY, the daughter of the late Edward C.J. and Carolyne A. (Mareane) Marks. She graduated from Elmira Free Academy in 1943, attended Elmira College and obtained her B.S. and M.S. in Education from SUNY Empire State College. While growing up in Elmira, she enjoyed working at her father’s drug store, the Federation Pharmacy.
On May 13, 1950, Bette married the love of her life, the late Paul R. Hart, and resided in or around Geneva the rest of her life. Together they raised 5 children. While her children were young, Bette worked various odd jobs to help the family make ends meet. Once her youngest completed kindergarten, she embarked on her career and passion, teaching 2nd grade at St. Francis-St. Stephen’s School. The parish school was her second home, and her colleagues and students there became her second family. She retired after over 20 years of teaching, only to return the very next year to serve as a substitute teacher and then, later, to volunteer to assist the late Sue Cecere in the pre-school classroom. Working with children and teaching them about their faith was Bette’s calling in life.
Bette is survived by her daughter, Mary M. DeVey, of Georgetown, S. Carolina, her sons, Paul R. (Laura) Hart, Jr. of Big Flats, N.Y., T. Patrick (Lisa) Hart of Ludington, Michigan and William J. (Kelly) Hart of Geneva, her daughter-in-law, Susan Hart Wheeler, of Greenup, Kentucky, her grandchildren: Matthew R. (Christina) DeVey, M. Kathleen (Joel) Salinas, Daniel P. (Ashley) DeVey, Megan K. Hart, Brian B. Hart, Michael P. (Stephanie) Hart, Paul J. (Amanda) Hart, Wade A. (Cody) Hart, Justin T. Hart, Erin M. Hart and Joseph P. Hart. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: James and Harrison DeVey, Eliana and Alex Salinas, Patrick and Emma Hart and Brielle Hart. Additionally, she is survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and her parents, Bette is predeceased by her son, James E. Hart, and her siblings: Edward J. Marks, Jr., Margaret M. Connell, Eugenia C. (Patterson) Kelly, John M. Marks, George Peter Marks.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to the nurses and staff at Living Center at Geneva North, who so kindly and professionally cared for Bette over the last several years and especially over the last few months when her health declined significantly.