Betti L. O'Connell

Betti L. (Waitsman) O'Connell, of Newtown, PA, passed away on August 23, 2025, at the age of 70 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
Betti is survived by her children, Heather King and her husband, Greg, of Northampton, MA, Stefanie Hunsberger and her husband, Christopher, of Telford, PA, Eric Jones and his wife, Maria Leonova-Jones, of West Chester, PA, and Kaitlin O'Connell and her fiancé, Yuon Flemming of Brooklyn, NY. She is also survived by her loving and dedicated companion of five years, Jeff Batterman.
Betti was the proud grandparent of six grandchildren whom she cherished and amply spoiled; Eliza, Sylvie, Matthew, Braden, Brynn and Everly. She was heartbroken to miss the opportunity to meet her seventh grandchild expected by Eric and Maria in early October.
Betti was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel J. O'Connell, and her former husband, Earl L. Jones.
Born in Philadelphia to the late Alan and Elaine Waitsman (Clayman), Betti grew up in Havertown, PA, graduated from high school, attended Temple University and ultimately went on to become a chef after completing a culinary program at the Restaurant School of Philadelphia in 1985.
From 1986-1992 Betti became well known throughout the Newtown, PA area as Betti of Betti's Soupourri & Bakery. Her gourmet take-out and catering business successfully fed many of Bucks County's local businesses, catered weddings and celebrated life events. From 1992 until her passing, Betti worked first for Colonial Farm in Washington's Crossing and then Olive's in Princeton, NJ. While there, she developed close and caring relationships with numerous colleagues who were endeared by her warmth, caring and supportive personality as well as her delicious cooking.
In recent years, her time and her heart were shared between her grandchildren, her companion, Jeff, her dear friends and book groups, European travel and her love of food. All her knew her will miss her dearly.
Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation to celebrate Betti's life on Friday, August 29, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by her Memorial Service, 11:00 a.m., at Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road (at Holland Road), Richboro, PA 18954. Interment will be held privately.