Elizabeth J. Fordyce (nee Rafferty), 87, died peacefully at her Livingston home on Sunday, June 4.
Elizabeth, known to her friends as Betty, was born in Elizabeth, NJ. and graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School. She married Alastair Fordyce (aka Chuckie) in 1953. Chuck and Betty moved to Livingston and made a wonderful home for themselves and their nine children, and were happily married for 56 years, until Chuckie's death in 2009. The Fordyce's were long time parishioners at St Philomena's and participated in many parish activities. After raising her family, Betty worked as a librarian at Ruth Lockwood Library in Livingston, a position she thoroughly enjoyed because of the professional atmosphere and her wonderful co-workers.
Betty was an energetic, social person who greatly enjoyed the company of others. She was a long time member of the St. Philomena's Rosary Altar Society and the Livingston Women's Club. Betty was an avid bridge player, and along with Chuckie, actively participated for many years in the local bridge club circuit. Betty liked reading, gardening, opera, travel, and most of all, visits with family. Betty enjoyed spending time with her family, making numerous trips to visit her children and grandchildren in New Jersey, Michigan, Arizona and Florida.
Betty was predeceased by her parents Bridget Mary Rafferty and Bartholomew Rafferty, her stepfather, Walter MacWalters, her loving husband, Chuckie, and her sisters, Winifred Rafferty and Theresa Stewart. She is survived by her brother, Patrick MacWalters, her nine children, Barbara Fordyce, John Fordyce, Peter Fordyce, Stephen Fordyce, James Fordyce, Thomas Fordyce, Alison DeCastro, Jane Orr and Alastair Fordyce Jr., and her 14 grandchildren, Stephen Fordyce, Carter Fordyce, James Fordyce, Benjamin Dahl, Julian Dahl, Kaelah Fordyce, Andrew Tucker Fordyce, Kooper Fordyce, Conor DeCastro, Ryann DeCastro, Molly DeCastro, Maddie Orr, Lily Orr, and Alastair Orr.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8 between 4-8 at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home in Livingston. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 9 at 10:30 at St. Philomena’s Church. Burial will take place immediately afterwards at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.
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