Betty A. Anderson

Betty A. Anderson (Ford) of Summit, NJ passed away peacefully at her home with her loving family by her side on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the age of 80.
Betty was born at Overlook Hospital on May 11, 1943 in Summit, NJ. The daughter of the late Daisy (Whittingham) and Charles Ford of Jamaica, West Indies, Betty grew up in Summit with her brother Melvin and attended the public schools. After high school, Betty attended the Stafford Hall Business School in Summit where she received an associate's degree. She went on to work for Chubb & Son Insurance Company at various locations in New Jersey for the next 33 years before retiring in 1998.
Betty met and married the love of her life Ronald (Ron) Lee Anderson of Houston, Texas on January 7, 1967. After marrying, Betty and Ron lived in New Mexico for a short time before settling in Summit where their daughter Michelle Renee was born and raised.
Over the years, Betty loved to spend time with her best friends Lula Owens (John), Margie Hines (Alfred), and Rebecca Daniel (Sonny) by simply talking to them on the telephone, weekend visiting, occasional travelling, and spending holidays together.
Although Betty had only one biological child, she was a mother figure to many "surrogate" children including nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends and neighbors. She loved to host and her home was a safe haven to all. It was often the meeting place where family and friends gathered for special occasions or stopped by just to say hello.
Betty had a great love for her family and friends, and especially enjoyed time spent with her cherished grandchildren, Jalen and Joaquin Russell. She had a very special Sister in love, the late Barbara Ashe, and from this bond she was like a second mother to Barbara's four children- James Ford (Lorie), Troy Ford (Yvette), Leah Simpkins (Rod) and Thad Ashe (Dela); and a second grandmother to their children- Tyler Ford, Allie Ford, Dijean O'Reggio, Troi Ford, Briana Simpkins, Kaiya Simpkins, Joel Ashe (Alex), Alyssa Schwegal (Ian), Amaya Ashe, Amanda Ashe, and Thad Ashe, Jr. Betty never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or graduation and always made sure to call or send a card to her loved ones.
Betty is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, Ronald Anderson, her devoted daughter Michelle Russell, her loving grandchildren, Jalen and Joaquin Russell, her former son-in-law Samuel Russell, her cousin Hilton Williams, her sisters in love, Bettye Pollard (Jerry), Johnetta Walker, Sandra Harris (Jerome), Denice Jones (Harold), her nephew Troy Ford, great niece Troi Ford, her niece Nicole Larmonie, great nephew Marcus Felder, great niece Lily, special niece Nicole Hines, her godchildren Luke Lyons, Mark Owens, and Jennifer Morgan, and a host of loving family and friends.
Betty was pre-deceased by her siblings Herbert Ford and Melvin K. Ford, and favorite cousins Derek Styler and Craig Styler.
Family and friends are invited to Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial on Friday, November 3rd for visitation from 10 AM – 11 AM. The funeral service will begin at 11 AM. Burial will immediately follow at Fairview Cemetery, Westfield, NJ.