- Date Of Birth: March 2, 1925
- Date Of Death: September 26, 2018
- State: New Jersey
Betty Jane Van Stratton nee Barry (Age 93) Of Seaside Park, NJ, passed away September 26, 2018 at the loving home of her daughter in Novato, CA while surrounded by family members. Betty was born on March 2, 1925 to Cornelia Weisner and Edmund Barry and was brought up in East Orange, NJ. Betty attended East Orange High School where she met Theodore “Ted” Kent Schuyler. Ted and Betty married and moved to Rochester, NY where their first son was born.
Their other sons and daughter were born after they relocated to Green Bay, WI. Upon Ted’s death, Betty relocated to Livingston, NJ. There, she raised her children, continued her education, and met and married William “Bill” Van Stratton. She received a BA and MFA from Montclair State University. Utilizing her education and her special talents, Betty taught at and retired from Montville Regional High School after 17 years of teaching and inspiring many art students. Throughout her teaching career and for many years after, Betty continued her paintings and artwork as a member of the Ocean County Artist Guild.
Many of her paintings were featured in juried shows throughout her lifetime. Betty was a parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Seaside Heights, NJ. There, she was a Lector and member of the Parish Council and was active in the Altar Rosary Society. She shared her gardening prowess with the Seaside Park Sand Dollar Garden Club and with all those who walked past her residence in Seaside Park. As a member of the Seaside Park Democratic Club and the League of Women Voters and as the Coordinator for Caregivers of Ocean County, Betty demonstrated her interests in politics and in her surrounding community.
She provided 21 years of service to Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey and was sadly missed when she left. Betty loved reading, gardening, art, and politics. Most important to her were her family and friends. Always the consummate hostess, all felt welcomed into her Seaside Park home. Betty loved life and lived it to the fullest; she will be missed beyond measure by her devoted family and friends. In addition to her parents, sister, Rita Gannon, and her first husband, Ted Schuyler, Betty was predeceased by Bill Van Stratton, her husband of 26 years.
Betty is survived by her sons, daughter, and their families: Kent Schuyler (Bobbi Minnick) of Easton, PA; John Schuyler (Fay Torresyap) of New York, NY; Tori Schuyler Graw (Gary) of Novato, CA; and Peter Schuyler (Lisa Barnes) of Medford, NJ. She was cherished by her grandchildren: Bryn Schuyler Hilts (Craig); Christopher Schuyler (Caitlin Kelly); Phillip Schuyler; Andrew Schuyler (Stephanie); Alexandra Graw; Madeline Graw; Katie Schuyler, as well as by five great grandchildren: Keira Schneider, Windsor Hilts; Juniper Hilts; Benjamin Schuyler; Molly Schuyler, and many nieces and nephews.
