Obituary

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Bodurtha, age 93, passed away on June 20, 2018 in Stuart, Florida. She was born in Hackensack, NJ to the late Lester and Cora Crouse. She grew up in Springfield, MA and lived in Southampton, MA for 34 years. A Jensen Beach, FL resident from 1987 to 2015, Betty lived at Pinelake Village and then at Villa Assumpta for 15 years.

She worked for 20 years for Stanley Home Products in Easthampton, MA.  Before that she worked as a telephone operator back when operators asked, "Number, please."  When her children were growing up, she worked as a food demonstrator in grocery stores. When television shows were all live, commercials were live as well.  She did commercials for Weber Grills.  The TV announcer would say, "Let's see what Betty is cooking on the grill."  She was an excellent cook.  After moving to Jensen Beach, she convinced the local Publix grocery store to advertise various cut of meats by giving customers samples of recipes she cooked in the store.  This was years before their successful "Aprons" program of recipe sampling.  She was an avid duplicate bridge player as well as a "golf widow."  She was predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Edward K. Bodurtha.  They were both excellent bridge players, but Ed was an even better golfer.  He was club champion at the Southampton Country Club where he also scored 3 holes in one.

She is survived by her two daughters, Diane Shepard (Don) and Ann Marie Shumway; three grandsons, Douglas Shepard (Shawn), Dean Shepard (Stacy), Stuart Shumway (Michelle) and 6 great grandchildren: Reid & Graham Shepard, Peyton & Makenzie Shepard, Lilyann & Tenley Shumway. A service at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, will be conducted by her grandson, Pastor Stuart Shumway of Sanford, NC.  The family will gather on August 13, 2018 for the service.  In lieu of flowers, contributions as a memorial may be made in her name to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, Florida 34997 or on their website at www.treasurehealth.org