CHAPEL HILL- Betsey Ann Cutler, 84, passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Sunrise of Crestwood, Yonkers, NY.
Betsey was born July 22, 1940 to the late Hyman and Pauline Schaap in The Bronx, NY.
In addition to her parents, Betsey is preceded in death by her brother, Bertram Schaap, and her husband, Leonard “Len” Cutler.
Betsey is survived by her two children: son, Henry Cutler (Kyoko); daughter, Anne Cutler Runyan (David); grandchildren, Pascal and Pia Cutler, and Stella and Griffin Runyan. Henry and his family reside in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Anne and her family reside in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. She also leaves behind her beloved cockatiel, Toby.
Born, bred, and schooled in New York City, Betsey graduated from Forest Hills High School in Queens and then attended Queens College to study Home Economics. She worked in various jobs in Manhattan, including hand modeling and cooking in test kitchens until she met Len. At the age of 45, Betsey decided to pursue her Masters of Social Work with a specialization in gerontology and upon graduation, she obtained a Social Worker position at Jewish Family Services in Stamford, CT, where she worked with the elderly for almost 10 years.
Betsey and Len raised their family in Westchester, NY where, in her free time, she pursued a unique array of hobbies and activities. For nearly her entire life, Betsey spent hours each day practicing at her beloved piano, taking lessons from well-known pianists and performing in local concerts well into her 70s. With her background in Home Economics and passion for food, Betsey was often found in the kitchen baking delicious treats with her daughter and cooking traditional Jewish meals for her family while also regularly volunteering to make meals for large scale events at their synagogue. Donating her time was an important part of Betsey’s life: she consistently helped at the local school library, volunteered as a companion for the elderly, and volunteered in various other ways. Exercising and staying active was another passion, and Betsey was often seen jogging with the family’s Giant Schnauzer or riding her bike along the streets of Larchmont.
Betsey also loved dogs and birds and owned both at different times throughout her life. During the child-rearing years, each of the dogs were a huge part of the family, with full participation in all family outings. In her retirement years, Betsey was passionate about her parrot and cockatiel.
After Len’s retirement, they relocated to Chapel Hill, NC where she continued all of her pursuits and also enjoyed annual family vacations in the U.S. and abroad to reunite with her grown kids and beloved grandbabies. Known as “Nana” to her American grandchildren and “Oma” to her Dutch grandchildren, her delight in having them visit was always evident in her bright, infectious smile.
Betsey’s effervescent spirit, witty and silly humor, contagious laughter and smile, fantastic story-telling, and unwavering love and devotion for her family will be truly missed. Those who knew her felt her warmth and joy and will remember her fondly.
To honor this lovely, dynamic woman, a graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Judea Reform Congregation Cemetery, 2560 Jones Ferry Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516. Officiating will be Rabbi John Friedman.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Betsey Cutler’s name towards one of the following:
American Bird Conservancy: https://abcbirds.org
Heifer International: https://www.heifer.org/give/one-time.html
Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org
Friday, January 31, 2025
Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
Judea Reform Congregation Cemetery
Visits: 452
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors