Elizabeth J "Betty" Roy

Elizabeth "Betty" J. Lyons Roy 76, of Kingston, New York, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Hudson Valley Hospice House in Hyde Park.

Born on November 14, 1948, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Grover and Alice Lance Lyons. Elizabeth was a 1966 graduate of Metuchen High School and went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1970, where she was a proud member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

Elizabeth dedicated her life to helping others, working for many years as a teacher for Arlington Central School District. She was a reading specialist for special education and remedial English, always eager to lend a hand or ear to help those in need. While she may have attempted to teach math early in her career, her true passion was helping students learn to read. A commitment she continued even after retirement, by tutoring children and volunteering in her church groups after school program.

She was a beloved member of her church community in every state she lived in. In 2009, she moved from Poughkeepsie, New York to St. Augustine, Florida, where she met her significant other, Earl Hurst, with whom she enjoyed spending her time. Elizabeth was a people person, she was kind, sweet, generous, and caring and was loved by everyone who knew her. She was also very active in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

On April 1, 1978, she married Donald Roy, and they remained friends throughout their lives.

Along with her partner, Elizabeth is survived by her children, Steven Roy; and Nancy Parker and her husband Patrick; her brother, William Lyons and his wife Dianne; her niece, Barbara Crannell and her husband Tim, and nephew David Lyons and wife Stacey

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A private burial of her cremated remains will be held at Stanhope Union Cemetery in New Jersey.

The family respectfully requests memorial donations to Hudson Valley Hospice House, 80 Washington St. Suite 204, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. https://www.hvhospice.org/donate-now/#Donate

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park.