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- LNA, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Friday, 17 January 2025
Betty Bassett
At the age of 99, Betty Jo Bassett passed away on December 20, 2024 after a short illness, surrounded by family, at Willow Valley Retirement Communities in Willow Street, PA. She was born on August 4, 1925 to Thomas Joel Anderson, Jr. and Mary Josephine (Hutchinson) Anderson, at her grandparents farm in Elm, MO. Her parents resided in Manhattan, KS at the time, but moved to Long Island, NY a few years later, and the family home soon became Manhasset, NY.
She graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, MO with an Associates of Arts degree in 1944. Her mother and sister had also attended Stephens College. While there she was President of the Independent Society.
Upon graduation she went to work for Sperry Rand, a war plant near her home, supporting the World War II effort.
Jo married her high school sweetheart, Robert (Bob) S. Bassett, on June 20, 1946. The family eventually settled in Westfield, NJ. For many years she was active in Girl Scouts, PTA and even ran a little league, including infield and outfield practice when the team manager was traveling.
She started her volunteer work there, an avocation that continued for many years at the Childrens County Home in Mountainside, NJ. Her love of volunteering took her to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ when the family moved to nearby Upper Saddle River, NJ. While there she was a member of the Womens Auxiliary. When the family moved to Valley Forge, PA her volunteering took her to Paoli Hospital in Paoli, PA.
While living in Valley Forge, she was ordained a Deacon in the Paoli Presbyterian Church. All her work as a volunteer and deacon fulfilled her compassion for and love of her fellow human beings and was done with joy and devotion.
Jo was a crocheter and poet. Many, many family members, including grand-children, great-grandchildren and great-great-grand-children enjoyed the afghans she made. Her poetry delighted the family as she honored them, and her ditties brought laughs as they guessed what Christmas presents might be in the gift box.
For forty-four years, Jo and her husband Bob enjoyed being at their warm and inviting summer home, Hutters Camp, on Otsego Lake, Cooperstown, NY. They especially enjoyed family reunions which eventually grew to include grandchildren and great-grand-children. They loved to welcome friends to this special place. While there, Jo taught many to water ski behind her ski boat.
Jo is preceded in death by her husband Bob. She leaves five wonderful children, Mary Jo Nerl (her husband the late Bob Nerl) of Buda, TX, Robert Stevens Bassett, Jr. and wife Linda of Cabool, MO, James Newman Bassett of Austin, AR, Stacey Anne Alvarado (her husband the late Armando Alvarado) of Austin, TX and Meg Goodyear and husband Kent of Chino Valley, AZ. She is also survived by eleven grand-children, twenty-two great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Willow Valley Retirement Communitys Meadow Ridge. Dates and times to be announced at a later time.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a gift to Saint Judes Research Hospital or Hospice Community and Care of Lancaster, or a charity of your choice.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1925 - 2024 (99 years)