Bette J. DelGiorno

Bette was born March 5th, 1932 in Meriden to the late William and Anne DelGiorno from Meriden, CT – former owners of Billy’s Beauty Salon on West Main Street. She was the third of three girls.

Bette graduated from Meriden High School in 1950. She attended UCONN and received her B.A. in 1954 in Bacteriology and Science education. She taught at Maloney Hight School in Meriden and furthered her education with a Master’s Degree from Trinity College in 1961. She went on to pursue her PhD in science education and graduated from UCONN in 1967. Bette became the Science Curriculum Coordinator for Fairfield Public Schools and was a published author of the 1975 “Environmental Science Activities: Handbook for Teachers”.

Bette was a pioneer in STEM education. She loved teaching, environment science and life. In May 2000, she received the Connecticut Science Supervisors Association’s Presidential Award for Meritorious Service “for her lifetime of dedication to the education of our children”.

Bette was an avid outdoors woman. She loved skiing, swimming and golf. She had motorcycles, many sports cars and convertibles, sail boats, motorboats and once even brought home an amphibious car for a weekend trial.

Besides her parents, Bette was predeceased by her beloved sister, Sylvia Schmitt, of Old Saybrook and her niece Sanna Middleton. She is survived by her nieces Candace and her husband Paul Beacham, Heidi Pascucci and her daughter, Priscilla Pascucci and her nephew and Godson, Gary Schmitt. She is also survived by her older sister, Barbara Middleton of Old Saybrook and her daughter and Bette’s niece, Terra Middleton. Bette has two great nephews and a great-great niece and nephew who reside in Tampa, Florida.

Bette was active in the Old Saybrook Republican Woman’s Club, the Cornfield Point Association and a member of the Old Saybrook Republican Town Committee.

Bette loved traveling especially with her sisters. She was always up for an adventure. Bette loved her family - she was generous, sweet, kind and loving person who will be missed by everyone who knew her.