Elizabeth “Bette” Eckleberry, age 91, passed away Sept. 8, 2024, at her home in Kingsport, Tennessee. Bette was born Feb. 11, 1933, in Jersey City to Sophie Jankiewicz and John Shaw. She raised her family of seven in Middletown and spent 55 years of her life there until relocating in 2019.
Bette was a beacon of strength and love to all who knew her. She was a devoted member of St. Catherine’s Church in Middletown. She cared for others throughout her whole life, as evidenced by her years working at Howard Johnson’s and The Oyster Point Hotel.
Her personal life was rich with the love of her family and friends. She was a loving mother to Debra Murphy (Randy), Lori Selman (Randy), Keely Rooney (Danny), Paul Eckleberry (Lauren) and Kim Geer. Bette was also a doting grandmother to Melissa, Brian, Sage, Jennifer, Kenneth, Jessica, Breanne, Fallon, Paul and Tristan and her 10 great-grandchildren.
Bette was preceded in death by her former husband, Dale, sons Daryl and Dale, and her siblings, Butch Shaw, Dorothy Moditz, Annamae Belgio and Susan Dietzold.
Known for her exceptional culinary skills, Bette enjoyed cooking, baking, watching wrestling, cheering for The New York Islanders and traveling. Her home was a hub of warmth and hospitality, always filled with love and laughter. Bette’s life and legacy will be celebrated and remembered by all who knew her.
Visitation was Sept. 13 at John F. Pflegler Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 14 at St. Catherine’s Church, Middletown, followed by committal services at Clover Leaf Park Cemetery in Woodbridge.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bette’s memory can be made to America’s Homeless Veterans at ahvets.org.
The article originally appeared in the September 12 – 18, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
