Elizabeth 'Betty' Cortash, 98

MEREDITH — Elizabeth "Betty" Cortash, a long-time resident of Meredith, died peacefully on June 27, 2015, after a short period of declining health. Her family was with her and attended to her until the time of her death at Saint Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, in Laconia.

Betty was the daughter of Florence Cadman and Herman Bossler. She was born on Feb. 11, 1917, and lived for many years in Rochester, N.Y., graduating from East High School going on to work for Kodak and then for the Rochester City School District. After her retirement she and her late husband, James Cortash, moved to Honolulu, and then to San Diego, before finally moving to Meredith in 1990 to be close to Betty's daughter.

While residing in Meredith she made many new friends and became involved with the First Congregational Church.

"Betty Boop," as she liked to be called, could be seen walking the streets of Meredith during all seasons of the year. On these walks she would head to the library, visit with neighbors, run errands for friends and family and simply enjoy the small town she called home. She loved to read, sew and knit. Her dishcloths could be found at the church fair or adorning the kitchens of friends and family. She would often ask one of her caregivers to go through her box of knitted dishcloths and pick one for themselves. Betty lived independently at her home in Meredith until the age of 95.

For a short time she resided at Fox Meadow assisted living in Bristol, but after a brief illness she moved to St. Francis Home.

In the last few years of her life she was well cared for by the staff in her new home. At St. Francis she could be found enjoying a good laugh with one of the staff members, singing a little ditty or doing the hula anytime she had an audience. Music and dancing were something she enjoyed all of her life.

She was a woman of independence. Living her life the way she wanted was important to her and she expected others to do the same. Everyone she met was accepted and there was not an ounce of judgment in her 4-feet, 10-inch body. Her family is diverse and she liked it that way. Betty always found joy with the simple things in life. The birds outside her window, the scent and beauty of flowers on her table, ice cream, or her favorite dark chocolate would bring delight. She was a woman of contentment, always taking it one day at a time. If someone came to visit she would send them off with a cheery salutation, "Don't worry, come back when you can. I will be here." Many that knew her liked her and admired her independence and love for living. She spent her last days overjoyed in disbelief that she had lived so long, often exclaiming, "Can you believe I am almost a hundred years old?"

The other things that will be remembered most by her family and friends will be her strength of character and her ability to overcome adversity. Her life was filled with many losses starting at the young age of 11 when her mom died of cancer. She is also predeceased by her sister, Eleanor Loftus, and three loving husbands, William Simpson, Charles W. Graffius, and James Cortash. In spite of her sadness she would always say, with conviction, "I have had a good life." Some of her personal adages are: "You have to laugh every day," "There is a silver lining to every cloud," and "We may not have a lot of money, but we have a lot of fun."

Betty is survived by the children of her second husband Charles W. Graffius, daughter, Marlene Heal of Meredith; and son, Glen Graffius, of Aptos, Calif. She is also loved by and known as Grandma Betty to nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations are asked to be made to Catholic Charities of New Hampshire and/or the First Congregational Church of Meredith.

Mayhew Funeral Homes & Crematorium of Meredith and Plymouth have assisted the family. For Betty's Book of Memories: www.mayhewfuneralhomes.com