Betty Q. Hughes

Age 83, of Elmira, NY, passed away into peace Sunday, May 3, 2009.Betty was the daughter of Cesare and Helen Rockwell Querqui.She was born in Elmira, NY on June 2, 1925.On Wednesday, May 15, 1954, she wed her best friend and the love of her life, Jeptha F. Hughes, Jr.They celebrated 47 wonderful years of life and love together.Jeptha preceded her in death on February 8, 2001.Betty is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Jim Bevilacqua of Elmira, NY; brother-in-law, Clark Hughes of Tioga, PA; niece, Joyce (Edward) Albright of Kingston, NY; nephews, Bob (Chris) Bates of Dover, DE and Gene (Ardith) Bates of Northport, WA; and cousin, Roy (Betty) Hughes, Jr. of Tioga, PA.Betty was best known for her dedication to education.She has been a member of Phi Lambda Theta since 1962.Betty obtained her Bachelor's Degree from Elmira College, her Master's Degree from Cornell University, and pursued her Doctorate at Indiana University.She was the second recipient to receive the local Educator of the Month Award and was recognized by Governor Pataki.Betty began her career in education as a Kindergarten teacher at Beecher School.She then produced science education films for the Elmira City School District before returning to the classroom as a second grade teacher at George Washington Elementary School. She was known for walking around the school property during her lunch hour with her banana.She was an accomplished musician, artist, and a very unselfish person who sacrificed for everyone else.For several years she performed at summer choral festivals with her daughter, Tina, including the Berkshire Choral Festival.She sang locally for years with the Elmira Symphony and Choral Society and several years with the Cantata Singers.In the past, she gave piano lessons and was the church organist for St. John's Church. Betty was a communicant of St. Casimir's Church, and also attended services at St. Patrick's Church.She loved doing crossword puzzles and had a devoted interest in nature.She appreciated the beauty of flowers, the outdoors, and loved watching the wildlife around her home.Betty was a breast cancer survivor of 24 years.A special thanks is extended to the caring staff of the Chemung County Nursing Facility for all the attention that was given to Betty. Family and friends are invited to call at the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira/Southport, NY on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 7th at St. Casimir's Church, 1012 Davis St., Elmira at 11 AM, with Father Jeremiah Moynihan as Celebrant.Committal prayers will be offered by Father Moynihan immediately following the Mass in Woodlawn Cemetery.Those wishing may make memorial donations in Betty's name to the Chemung County Humane Society & SPCA, 2435 Route 352, Elmira, NY 14903.A "Candle of Remembrance' may be left for the family in obituaries atwww.olthof.com .