Obituary of Elizabeth A. Cushing

Elizabeth “Betty” Cushing of Wurtsboro Hills, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2020 at the Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown.  She was 84.

The daughter of the late Francis G. Maresca and Myrtle Helfrich Maresca, she was born September 24, 1936 in Jersey City, NJ. She was the widow of Ronald Cushing who predeceased her on December 21, 2007.

Betty was a bookkeeper during her younger years but after having her two boys, she stayed home to raise them, which she could not have done a better job at. She loved horses and horseback riding, which she did often as a young woman. Betty was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a confidant to her nieces and a friend to all. She loved Tiger Woods and was known for her baked ziti and her cranberry nut bread at Christmas.

Betty was diagnosed with Dementia in 2007 and it slowly took over. She spent the last five years of her life at Valley View nursing home in Goshen and was loved by the staff. Words cannot describe how thankful we are for the entire staff of the Forest wing at the nursing home. Their love, care and especially patience with our mother was second to none! We will always be grateful to them.

She is survived by her two sons, David Cushing and wife Stacey of Wurtsboro, and Michael Cushing also of Wurtsboro; grandchildren, Courtney, Alexandra, and Carter; step-grandchildren, Katrina, Leah, and Justin. She is also survived by a sister, Ray Lussier and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her siblings: Frank Maresca, Mary Smith, Etta Howard, Ronnie Maino, Barbara Howell and Gloria Gardner.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 5 from 5:00 to 8:00pm at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro.  Her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 6 at 11am at the funeral home with burial to follow at the Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro. Due to the current health crisis, social distancing guidelines must be met. A limited number of people at one time will be allowed in the funeral home and face masks are required.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Bashakill Area Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com