Elizabeth Hatton Hussey

Elizabeth “Betty” Hatton Hussey passed away peacefully in her apartment at Windsor Place at the age of 87 on July 31, 2023. She was born to Leroy Alex and Dorothy Hatton in Bartow, Florida, on July 21, 1936. The family moved to Orlando in 1943 where she remained a resident.

She was part of the second graduating class from Boone High School in 1954 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. After moving back to Orlando and working as a legal secretary, Betty met her future husband, the late William “Bill” Hussey, and married in 1960 during Hurricane Donna. She is survived by her two sons William “Billy” (Patricia) of Davidson, NC, Jeffrey (Karen) of Altamonte Springs, FL as well as her sister, Dottie Hatton Marden of New Boston, NH, and three grandchildren, Alison, Ethan, and Faith.

Betty was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Orlando, becoming a member on March 31, 1944. She served many roles in the church, but her true calling was on the flower committee. She was a former member of the Country Club of Orlando and current member of the Rosalind Club in downtown Orlando. She also served as a board member at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

A true gift of Betty’s was her green thumb. She had a passion for growing roses and always had fresh cut roses in her home. She was a devoted wife to Bill, mother to her boys and grandmother to her grandchildren. She was a historian and witness to the growth of Orlando and was always generous with her time to countless different organizations in town.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held on August 12, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 142 E Jackson St, Orlando, FL 32801. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation in Betty’s name to The First United Methodist Children’s Home, 51 Children’s Way, Enterprise, FL 32725, phone 386.668.4774, https://www.fumch.org/.