- April 24, 2024
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Elizabeth “Betty” (Gough) Rhatigan
1936-2023
Elizabeth “Betty” (Gough) Rhatigan, 86, quietly passed away in her sleep early in the morning of April 26, 2023, in New Paltz, NY. Betty was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, George Rhatigan, her siblings, Maureen (Gough) Bosnich and George Gough, and two of her beloved children, Robert and Richard Rhatigan. She is survived by her children and their families: Michael Rhatigan, Patricia (Rhatigan) Doran, Ellen Rhatigan Teatum, and Daniel Rhatigan; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was famously kind and generous of spirit, inspiring great affection in all those who knew her.
Betty was born in Staten Island, NY, to the late George and Helen (O’Brien) Gough, on June 7, 1936, and grew up in the Port Richmond neighborhood. She married George Rhatigan on June 14, 1958, and with him raised six children in Staten Island, before retiring together to Palm Coast, FL. Shortly after George passed in 2014, Betty returned to New York to live in the continuing care retirement community at Woodland Pond at New Paltz, near to her daughter, Patti.
A devout Christian, Betty volunteered a great deal of her time and her considerable energy to her community in Staten Island, even while working part-time in the Office of Student Activities at the College of Staten Island. She helped to organize a folk group that provided music at St. Sylvester RC Church in Concord, and was involved for many years with the Lamb of God prayer group that gathered at Mount Manresa, the Jesuit retreat house in Fort Wadsworth.
After Betty and George moved to Palm Coast, already the home of many of their long-time friends, she continued to devote time to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Flagler Beach, FL, alongside her participation with Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church. With more time to herself in Florida, Betty began to take painting classes, tapping into a love of art that too often fell by the wayside during those busy years of raising her family. During the fifteen years she lived in Palm Coast, Betty became a prolific painter of watercolors, creating a legacy to be shared with friends and family.
There will be a mass for Betty at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 7, at Santa Marie Del Mar Catholic Church in Flagler Beach. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and mail it to Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church, 915 North Central Ave., Flagler Beach, FL 32136-0130.
MASS:
Wednesday, June 7, 9AM
Santa Marie Del Mar Catholic Church
Flagler Beach
