Betty B. (Eato) Smith

Betty Beatrice Eato Smith was the youngest of 8 children. She was born on October 17, 1925, to Frances (Wydeman) and Sherwood Cleon Eato. Her identical twin Peggy was only minutes ahead of her in birth. She grew up in Port Washington L.I. New York. She attended public schools in Port Washington where she completed the 10th grade.

She married at the age of 22 to Charles Smith of Manhasset. They had one daughter, Linda Smith Hadley. Eventually, Betty left Manhasset for NYC where she worked up until her retirement at age 65. Though most of her professional life consisted of housekeeping, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a licensed beautician in 1965.

At the age of 32 Betty gave birth to her second daughter Karin. She remained in Corona, NY until 1982 when she moved to Flushing Queens. She was right around the corner from her other half Peggy. They talked or saw each other daily. They were inseparable, and everybody knew it! When Karin left for college in 1977, Betty decided to reinvent herself and do some of the things she had always wanted to do, but was unable to, due to work and parenting responsibilities. She traveled to Europe, on cruises and Martha’s Vineyard. She and her twin became fixtures at the local YMCA in Flushing, where they both became excellent swimmers. Betty had long been a tennis enthusiast, but now became an avid player and frequently attended the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadow. She also loved to ride her bike and participated in the annual Five Borough bike ride into her 80’s.

In 1982, Betty found her church home, Macedonia A.M.E. church where she remained an active, dedicated member until her departure from NY due to health reasons. She participated in several ministries, including but not limited to the choir, hospitality ministry and the food pantry. She had quite the green thumb. One of her other passions were her flowers and her garden which she tended to faithfully. There was one catch however with the garden. Betty lived in a building owned by the New York City Housing Authority. That fact did not phase Betty. She had an expansive garden which many admired and the NYCHA eventually funded.

Those who knew her, will remember her as a woman who carried herself with a great deal of respect and pride, had impeccable taste in clothes and always had her hair just right. Though a woman of modest means she never missed an opportunity to give where she could. When she gave to a cause, she stuck with it. She was a long-standing contributor to; the Veterans of the Second World War, Paralyzed Veterans of America, World Vision, Easter Seals and the March of Dimes to name a few.

She was preceded in death by her 7 siblings, Norman, Sherwood/Sonny, Francis, Arthur, Evelyn, Lucy and Peggy.

She leaves to mourn her, Karin (Eato) Wall, Boston, MA, Linda (Smith) Hadley of Queens, New York, five grandchildren, Jason and Tenaza (Richardson) Hadley of New York, Maryn Hadley of Fairfax, Virginia, Bruce Aharon Wall, Jeremy Alexander Wall, Oare Karmia Wall, of Boston  son in-law Bruce Wall of Boston and Alexandra Stanton of New York,  whom she referred to as her third daughter, three great grandchildren, Isabel, Jaxon and Julius, and dear friends Domna Stanton and Mildred Scott, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge a few special people; Beverly Byron and Glynette Byrom Scott who faithfully visited Betty on a weekly basis, Rosheena Jones who came to the facility to do mom’s hair and the daily noon time prayer warriors who prayed for Betty weekly.

Betty was very proud of each of her grandchildren’s accomplishment, often bragging about them to whom ever would listen. It made her especially happy that she was able to instill in her three youngest grandchildren, a love of sports, particularly tennis and bike riding. Mom, thank you for the years you gave us here on earth, know that you made a difference in the lives of people you encountered and that your legacy lives on. 

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