Elisabeth Sheerin Palmedo

This is a very belated tribute to Betsy. I have been friends with Chris since I was around four so I of course have known Betsy for a very long time, although I did not see her often enough in my adult years. The thing that springs to mind about Betsy was her infectious smile and positivity, and the first memory that popped up was watching her letting her dog lick the dirty dishes sitting in the dishwasher. I have no idea why that memory came to me, and I couldn´t tell you how long ago it was, but given her love of dogs, I suppose it makes sense.

I was so sad to hear this news. For a window of time, Betsy was a major figure in my life -- so supportive of us Stony Brook graduate music students and a real friend. She personified "joie de vivre" and I always felt energized in her presence. I also enjoyed conversing with Phil and Laurence too, when he was around. It had been many years since I last spoke to her. She was a remarkable lady and I will always remember her.

Betsy was a truly remarkable lady and mother. I had the honor of meeting her at her son Lawrence and daughter-in-law Kadi's wedding. Despite having just met, she exuded warmth, energy, and kindness towards me. I regret not having had more time to deepen our acquaintance. She will forever be missed.

I don´t remember ever not knowing Betsy Palmedo.
I was a young child being chauffeured around by my mother Ann Jupp and frequently was at the Palmedo home in Crane Neck.
Margreit and I played tag and hide and seek with Chris and Laurence...
Amused ourselves while my mother and Betsy would do their music together.
Later, as a well established adult, both Betsy and Phil were very supportive and helpful to me as I had moved back to Long Island after decades away and they both provided advice, invitations to dinners and functions and most of all made me feel part of my hometown community again.
I got to reacquaint myself with Phil and Betsy as an adult and had the pleasure of Betsy´s company and musings many times since my return to Long Island.
I had known Betsy to have a great sense of humor, she was lively, kind, a music lover, an art lover, a little mischievous and of course voraciously social. But she was also a philanthropist and fiercely supportive of local causes and people she held dear.
She was fun to be around.
Bonnie, Betsy and my mother were the 3 amigos during the pandemic so I was privileged to see the 3 of them chat it up, and laugh on a regular basis.
Reflecting now,
Betsy has been a fixture throughout my existence here on Earth and she will be profoundly missed by so many.
Fondly,
Avril Coakley
These photos were taken in Port Jefferson in 2018

Forming a duo, Betsy and I concertized for several years from the East End of Long Island to Manhattan. Libraries, museums, galleries, meeting halls and historic sites were our venues, some elegant and some a bit less so. We always enjoyed the events and our audiences . We shared a sense of humor especially needed on one occasion , a luncheon of 800 where the conversation overpowered the music which took a lot as Betsy was a strong, unflappable performer! As she once remarked "Oh well, memoirs of a lesser soprano".

We also formed a trio with Carolyn McGrath, a friend and fine clarinetist. Amongst our favorite concerts was at a weekend in Virginia for an anniversary celebration at the home of an uncle of Betsy's.

Music has been a passion for me my entire life and I was so pleased and privileged to spend those years with Betsy. May God bless her.
Ann Jupp

Our deepest condolences to Phil, Christopher, and Laurence. Mark and I always loved to be with Betsy because she was such a joyous person, and she always made both of us smile.

I will always remember Betsy with a smile that illuminated to her eyes. She was the kind of person that I felt drawn to purely because of her energy and without having to say anything. Although she is no longer with us, I know that this beautiful energy will always be a part of what she leaves behind for all of those closest to her as well as in the memories we all hold of her.

My first clear memory of Betsy is from age 5, is attending Betsy and Phil's wedding, meeting Uncle Phil, and being enchanted by her smile and laugh. She was incandescent, and that quality never left her. She had a big heart, a big voice (rarely shy about using it) and was always engaged in life to the fullest. Our trip with Betsy and Phil in 2011 remains one of our brightest memories. I hope Betsy, my father and Maria are beaming their big smiles together.

When we were children- Sister/cousins we dubed ourselves, living with our grandparents during WWII she was designated my babysitter kne evening. I was 5 Betsy 12. Bath time, I got in the tub Betsy said " if you pee in the tub you will die ! Fast forward 2010 Betsy joined us twice for trips to the Holy Land where we had lived. A moment in a Holy place and Betsy started a hymn that fit the place. It was a Holy Moment

sending love and light to you, her beloved family.

My first memory of my Sister/Cousin was at Sunnycrest where we lived during World War II. Betsy was babysitting for me I was five she was 11. Bath time, I got in the tub and Betsy said "you know if you pee in the tub you'll die" Fast forward to 2010. my husband and I let a tour to Jerusalem where we had lived. Betsy joined us she joined me a second time when I took a group of women. Those times were marked with holy moments. One of those moments was when Betsy, at the appropriate place in the Holy Land burst into song. It was beautiful. Both trips were marvelous and we laughed, played and prayed.

Holding Phil and the family in light and love.

I will miss her.

WE have fond memories of Betsy attending services at All Souls Stony Brook and also performing at our monthly Saturdays at Six concerts with the North Shore Pro Musica (picture attached). Thank you for sharing her with us.

Dan Kerr, All Souls Church, Stony Brook