Elizabeth M. Ladutko

Stubborn and feisty to the end, Elizabeth (Betty) Ladutko left this world as she lived it – on her own terms. On April 24, 2021, she passed away peacefully in her home of nearly 40 years.

Born October 12, 1930, Betty never fit the mold of the typical woman of her time. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School in 1948, she attended computer school and worked on the earliest computers for American Brass Co. Betty went on to graduate from secretarial school and worked for the U.S. Government while in her early twenties.  With a top security clearance, she was stationed at Wiesbaden Germany air force base, traveling extensively throughout Europe. She enjoyed reminiscing about visits to Yugoslavia, Austria, England, France, Italy, West Germany and other countries. She was particularly proud of visiting East Germany and flirting with the guards there.

After returning to the States with her treasured Austin-Healey Sprite sports car, Betty worked in Special Services for the Orange Board of Education for 23 years. During that time, she met and married her beloved husband Bill. Partners in the construction business, Betty managed the administrative duties while Bill handled the grunt work. Not long after getting married, they made the difficult decision to sell her prized Sprite to defray the unexpectedly high costs of raising children, a decision she made sure her kids heard about many times.

Betty was predeceased by her much-loved husband Bill and her later companion Ed Poppendick. She is survived by her loving son Bill and his wife Lynn and their daughter Jenni, her loving son Bob and his wife Lindy and their daughter Heather, her surrogate grandson Jared Witham, and a long list of nieces and nephews and cousins.

Per her wishes, Betty will be cremated and interred in her beloved husband Bill’s plot, partners again. Never patient with long services, her interment will be brief with immediate family members in attendance. A service will be held at Holy Infant Church in Orange on Saturday, May 1 at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can kindly be made to Branford Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth M. Ladutko, please visit our floral store.