Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Elizabeth Cordero Obituary
Elizabeth Lee "Betty"
Born on August 4, 1922, Betty passed away peacefully at her home in Dayton, Ohio, on Sept 1, 2022, four weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday surrounded by all her loving family. Betty's long and full life revolved around music, from her late teens playing trombone in an all-girl band for the USO in Minnesota during WWII, to her early days as a band teacher in Wolf Point, Montana, to 61 years of marriage and support of the musical career of her husband, Dr. Roque Cordero, Panamanian Composer. This journey included 16 early years spent in Panamá and later Roque's long- time professorship at Illinois State University. As a piano teacher in her own right, she developed her own methods and materials to privately teach countless students, also creating and dedicating her own piano compositions, especially for family members. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Roque, son Ricardo Lee (Kathy) Cordero, and parents Martha Lee and Joseph Melvin Johnson. Betty is survived by her sons Dimitri "DJ" (Trudy) Cordero and Rogelio (Consuelo) Cordero, daughter-in-law Kathy (Ric) Cordero, 9 grandchildren: Nicolás (Lindsay), Arel (Mao), Diana, Cristine, Gina (Karim) Abdur-Rahman, Rebecca (Aaron) Willard, Ro-el, Teresa, and Victoria, and 8 great-grandchildren: Laina, Dominic, Saffiya, Eliza, Zaynab, Nasreen, Dylan and Lenora. According to Betty's wishes for cremation and no funeral service, the family plans a private interment at the Mausoleum at historic Woodland Cemetery, in Dayton, Ohio.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Cordero
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Elizabeth Cordero's name
Memorial Events
for Elizabeth Cordero
How to support Elizabeth's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Elizabeth Cordero's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
