GANSEVOORT – Elizabeth D. LaPorte (Betty), 71, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at Saratoga Hospital, while surrounded by her family.
Born on January 30, 1947 in New Rochelle, NY, she was a daughter of the late Liborio J. and Rose Gallello D’Angelo. She graduated from New Rochelle High School in 1965 and married her sweetheart in 1968. She moved to Rockland County in the early 1970’s spending her career working as a Social Worker after obtaining her BSW at Dominican College in Blauvelt, NY followed by her MSW at Fordham University in New York City. Throughout her career, she was a well-respected Social Worker and worked in a variety of settings. Elizabeth was an advocate for children affected by Substance Use and ascended to national leadership positions in the field. She started her private practice, which she ran for the last nineteen years of her career. She was a wrestling “mom” to her husband’s teams for many years. She later became a consultant at Nyack Public schools. She retired in 2006 and relocated to Gansevoort in 2009 to fulfill her most important role as “Nana.”
Elizabeth was an avid reader and enjoyed attending her monthly book club meetings in Saratoga. She was also part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry at St. Clement’s Church and enjoyed the fellowship of her many friends here in Saratoga. In her free time, she loved being with her grandchildren, spending time at LBI, going to the Saratoga Race Track, crocheting, hosting family gatherings, and engaging in political discourse.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Joseph D. LaPorte; one daughter, Rachel (Daniel) Wolfield and two grandchildren, Camden and Julia Wolfield, all of Lake George; her sister Teri (Peter) Pendergrass of Salem and her nephews, Patrick and Keith (Taylor Kalloch) Pendergrass. She also leaves behind her loving aunts, Betty Frasca and Alba Sabia, as well as numerous cousins.
Calling hours were held Sunday, Apr. 15 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday in St. Clement’s Church, 231 Lake Avenue. Entombment followed in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery Mausoleum, Niskayuna.
Memorials may be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211.
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com.
