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Betsy Siegelaub Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Betsy Siegelaub
Sister
January 28, 2025
Betsy is gone from our lives but not our hearts. Four long years & never a day I don´t miss her.
Maureen Baglio
May 12, 2024
Betsy was my son Paul´s Italian teacher in the 1980´s. Though he was a terrible language student (sadly, because his grandmother, my Mom, was born in Italy), she treated him so special. Her kindness & compassion no doubt influenced him to be a fine high school guidance counselor. He learned from the best.
Our sincere condolences to your family. She left the world too soon, but she left it a better place.
Neil Schulman
March 7, 2024
I just stumbled onto this site. I'm deeply sorry Marc for your terrible loss. Reading her obituary I see what a truly special gift she was to you and everyone who knew Betsy. I hope that your pain has been replaced by only happy memories of the times you shared together.
Neil Schulman
Marjorie Schaefer
January 29, 2024
My dearest sister is missed every minute of every day. Her love of family, students & friends & our love for her lives on in us for eternity. Until we meet again
Lenny Alonge
April 5, 2023
My favorite teacher at GC High. So sad to read of her passing!
Keith McCrae
September 18, 2021
Betsy was the sweetest person one could ever know.
Diane Collins Bacheller
August 3, 2021
Another photo of Betsy and Marc from the same day.
Diane Collins Bacheller
August 3, 2021
I happened upon the photo I spoke of below, and figured I´d upload it. Rest In peace, Signora.
Idie Levine Weinsoff
March 26, 2021
Betsy was such a special person. She truly lit up a room, and served as a role model I wish I had more closely followed. I will keep her in my thoughts.
Claudine Aievoli
March 12, 2021
The Psalmist says, "God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." It´s with a broken heart that I share how deeply Betsy impacted my life. Betsy, My Italian teacher throughout high school, who became a support system to me upon the tragic death of a classmate my Sophomore year. She checked in on so many of us regularly- a smile, a hug, a hand written note, a "you can stay after class and talk..." Her small frame and large energy hopped around the classroom drawing her students in to love the Italian language as much as she did. Upon graduation we became closer, she afforded me opportunities to chaperone her classes to the MOMA, we went for lunches, she gave me the idea to take my grandma to the Opera, and she encouraged me to go to college during my career as a court reporter, to continue studying Italian, and ultimately was the reason I studied a semester in Firenze. We attended each other´s baby showers, she always remembered my family´s birthdays...Her deep love for her favorite boys Marco & Nathan made me want to be a better wife & mom. She made me a better me. She was always an angel. Now she has her wings. Mile Grazie, Bettina.
Martin Applebaum
February 13, 2021
I stare at Betsy's photograph above and still find it unfathomable that she is gone. Even her photograph exudes her certain 'je me sais quoi' touching me to the core. There have been few people so sweet, smart, loving and encouraging in the history of the world and it was my great fortune that two of them were in my life, two who also happened to love one another: Betsy and my mom. I have studied Buddhism for many years, practicing hard to grow in understanding and compassion. And these two women, both now gone, continue, as they did EFFORTLESSLY in life, to exemplify the qualities I still stumble along trying to work towards. My deepest gratitude, Betsy, for choosing with your heart to be loving family, friend and exemplar.
Aaron and Evelyn Shapiro
February 13, 2021
Although we haven't seen you in quite a while, I have thought of you often We're so sorry to hear of the passing of Betsy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dawn Joyce
February 8, 2021
So many incredible memories from the 4 years of Italian class with Signora Siegelaub. Our trips into little Italy. Her laugh and smile was something I will always remember.
Aden Khan
February 8, 2021
Mrs. Siegelaub completely transformed the way I perceived foreign languages. I cant even put into mere words the profound impact she had on my life. She singlehandedly inspired me to become infatuated with foreign languages and to major in French and minor in Italian at Hofstra.
Ever since the first day that I stepped foot into her class (room 237) at Mepham, I knew that the learning of the French language was going to be something extraordinary. Her class was unique in every sense of the word. Each day she had prepared a didactic, demanding, and thrilling lesson for all of her students. She taught gently and lovingly — but supremely effectively — her passion and enthusiasm for teaching was glaringly evident. She was a person who could make you feel like you’d known her forever, even if you’d only been recently acquainted. Mrs. Siegelaub also had a perfect heart, a perfect soul, a riotously outrageous and relentless sense of humor, and a dazzling, radiant mind. She was an exquisitely gifted teacher who left an indelible impact on anyone who was fortunate enough to cross paths with her.
As William Arthur Ward once fantastically said, “‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” Mrs. Siegelaub was certainly a great teacher who inspired many of her students.
Debbie J Muscara
February 7, 2021
So sorry to hear the sad news about sweet Betsy. May her family find solace in the love everyone had for Betsy.
Mark Martufi
February 7, 2021
I can't tell you how saddened I was to hear of dear Signora Siegelaub's passing. I still think about her often and was literally thinking of her the day before I read of her passing. Like my fellow 1992 graduates Dianne and Thomas, Betsy was an enormous influence on me. She was an incredible educator that not only taught content but inspired. Her boundless energy and excitement was infectious. I was in Italian for all four years of high school (minus that one year when the other teacher taught us!) and also in her accelerated French program. Like Diane, I grew up in an Italian speaking household and taking her classes helped me make sense of what I was hearing at home (Ciociara dialect) and proper Italian. I fondly remember working on projects such as my friend Thomas mentions (boy, were we mature!!), going to Little Italy, the way she called me "Marco Milione" and having the honor of going to her house for dinner after graduation. (I would love to see that picture by the way!) She not only taught me but my older brother, my sister in-law and my niece. Although I only saw her once after graduation (at Santy Gallone's wake) we occasionally exchanged letters and then emails over the years. She encouraged me to become a teacher as well. Although I teach music at one point I thought I was going to teach Italian and actually took a class at Stony Brook with her old teacher Professor Franco. I can only hope to be as memorable, loved and positive an influence on my students that Betsy was on all of us. A true role model. Sincerest condolences to Marc and Nathan. The world has lost a special person. Her memory lives on in our hearts and thoughts.
Connie Anderson
February 7, 2021
Betsy was loved by all. She really did light up that gloomy Mepham Faculty Room with her stunnig, ever present smile. I looked forward to chatting with her everyday
Lianne Paschette
February 7, 2021
Betsy was so many things to so many people but first and foremost, a loving friend. My life was enriched by knowing her. Sending love and condolences to her Marc and Nathan. Thank you for sharing her with so many.
Thomas Scire
February 5, 2021
I will always remember Signora Siegelaub as one of, if not the best teacher I ever had. She was so passionate about her students. Every one of us loved coming to her class. I graduated Mepham in 1992 with Diane Collins (she posted earlier on this page). My favorite assignment ever was creating a commercial in Italian that I made with my friend Mark Martufi. It was called "Preparazione Acca." Which tranlates in English to "Preparation H." Yes, as in the ointment. We even visited Little Italy as a class, was so much fun.
Signora Siegelaub, we will miss you. We will always remember you and the difference you made in this world.
Ethan, Courtney, and Levi Beck
February 4, 2021
Marc and Nathan,
We are so sorry for the loss of Betsy. She was a wonderful woman. She was so kind and caring the times we were able to see each other. Her passion will continue on in both of you and all of those who were lucky enough to know her. The books you sent us for our daughter Levi's birth will be a reminder of her and her passion for education and reading, as well as the kindness and love of your family. Much Love and Well Wishes to you both.
Rich Fascianella
February 4, 2021
What a wonderful teacher and human being she was. She left an indelible mark on me. Rest In Peace.
Isabelle Pantell
February 4, 2021
A tragic loss, Betsy will live on forever through her family and loved ones.
David Kommor
February 4, 2021
Betsy will be remembered as a beautiful soul who uplifted everyone she came in contact with. She touched many lives and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Roanne Latner-Tollinsky
February 4, 2021
Find strength in the memories you hold dear. May her memory be a blessing for you both.
THEANA CHELIOTES
February 4, 2021
I will forever remember the warmth of her presence and the glow of her smile. Rest well Betsy.
ANN KRAMER
February 4, 2021
GONE TOO SOON, BUT A WARRIOR UNTIL THE END. A SWEET, KIND SOUL WHO LOVED HER FAMILY ABOVE ALL ELSE. I SHALL MISS HER.
Patrice Mercurio
February 4, 2021
Marc and Nathan,
Betsy is and will always remain, one of the best that this world has to offer. I am profoundly sorry for your loss. Hugs and support to you always.
Diane Collins Bacheller
February 4, 2021
Dear Siegelaub Family,
"The influence of a good teacher cannot be erased." I am writing to express my deep sympathy at the loss of your wife and mother. Betsy was my high school Italian teacher. She knew I was Gino´s neighbor, a friend of Claudine and the Gallones, and I had grown up in a Sicilian household, so I always felt she paid special attention to me. Although, she was attentive to all of her students! My years in Italian class are among the best memories I have from high school. Signora Siegelaub - an ageless, spunky, energetic, dedicated, witty teacher. Students, including myself, would stop by to chat between classes or after school. Betsy was more than a teacher, she was a confidant, would listen and lend advice. In my senior year, Betsy encouraged me to take the accelerated French program she was so excited about. It was a distance learning class- with the teacher housed at Calhoun. It was the first ever, pioneering type of distance learning back in 1991, and was something we are seeing in present day teaching! I guess we were progressives! I am now a teacher, something Betsy encouraged me to pursue. I remember her inviting me to come observe her high school classes when I was in college and first considering becoming an educator. I recently came a across a photo taken on the deck outside your apartment in Forest Hills. Three classmates and I came to visit that first summer out of high school. We were so excited, as we were now "adult" graduates. Ha ha! It is a fond memory I hold. Thank you, Betsy, for being, by far, the most memorable teacher I was ever lucky enough to have. You not only taught me how to refine my Sicilian language into formal Italian, more importantly, you taught me about what being a good human means. Betsy´s kindness, understanding, patience, encouragement, and fun inspired me to be that kind of teacher, and overall person. I am grateful to have crossed paths with Betsy at such an influential time in my life. I could only hope that my children are as lucky as I am to have had a teacher who leaves footprints on their heart, as Betsy has for me. Betsy´s passing was a huge loss for your family, the community, and all who were lucky enough to call her teacher or friend. Thinking of your family with continual prayers of peace and healing.
Fondly,
Diane
Annette Kent
February 4, 2021
Betsy was a beautiful soul loved by so many. Haven has gained an angel she will be missed
Marjorie Schaefer
February 4, 2021
It was my great privilege to be her sister. she was my best friend, my confidant & my laughing partner. She was the most incredible human being who took a sincere interest in everyone she knew. she fought the battle like a true hero, all along knowing that it was a battle she had little chance of winning. I will miss her with every being of my heart & soul, this was such an untimely death.
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