Former longtime Fair Havenite Betty Ann Caldwell passed away peacefully in Williamsburg, VA on April 15, loved ones by her side. She was 96.

Betty Ann was born in 1929 to William and Willa (Gardella) Mason and was raised in Upper Montclair NJ. Following graduation from Montclair High School in 1948 she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education at Patterson State Teachers College.

She met the love of her life, William (Bill) Caldwell in Lavallette; and they married in June of 1952. She loved teaching first grade and especially reading until starting her family in 1955.

Betty Ann and Bill raised their family in Fair Haven. “She was a devoted mother to her three children. She enjoyed volunteering in her children’s schools, church and her community. Betty Ann was very creative and pursued many artistic endeavors including sewing, knitting, painting, gardening and flower arranging. Her children and grandchildren cherish the Christmas stockings she knit for them as well as paintings she made for each of them.

“Family life involved ice skating on local rivers and ponds, swimming and beach-combing in Sea Bright and Lavallette as well as boating on her namesake, The Betty Boop.

“She was active in The First Presbyterian Church of Rumson and The Union Church of Lavallette. After Bill’s retirement they settled in Ford’s Colony, Williamsburg, VA where she continued to enjoy her hobbies and involvement in the Presbyterian Church. She was active in the craft club there and enjoyed making holiday decorations for historic Williamsburg. She was a docent at the Mariners Museum, enjoyed adult classes at William and Mary and traveling to England, Ireland and Scotland as well as visiting her family.

“Betty Ann made friends with people and animals no matter where she went.”

Loved ones of Betty Ann Caldwell in her obituary

She was predeceased by: her husband, Bill, of 68 years; her son, William Mason Caldwell; and her brother, William L Mason.

She will be sadly missed by: her daughters, Linda (Bill) Werner, and Mary Ellen Caldwell; daughter-in-law Wendy Caldwell; sister, Mary Lou Couch, four grandchildren, Bill (Ida Brown), Michael (Melanie Kier), and Eric Werner, and Patrick Murphy; four great-grandchildren, Abram, Willa, Eli and Magnolia; and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial service for Bill and Betty Ann was held on April 22 in Williamsburg. Ashes will be scattered in New Jersey at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to your favorite charity.