C Betty Mccaffrey

C. Elizabeth (Betty) McCaffrey, 91, of Frederick, Md. died on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, at Frederick Memorial Hospital, after suffering a stroke at her home.

Born in Frederick on November 18, 1919 she was the eldest of three daughters of the late Bernard Elmer and Mary Elizabeth Engle McCaffrey.

Betty attended St. John's Literary Institute on Second Street and earned her Bachelor's degree at Saint Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Md. She continued her studies at Western Maryland College in Westminster, Maryland, earning a master's degree.

Betty was a dedicated school teacher for several decades in Frederick County Public Schools at Brunswick, Middletown and TJ High schools. After her retirement from the county, she then taught at Prospect Hall and was a literacy volunteer at the library. As a lifelong member of Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church she proudly served her church in many capacities over the years. Among them, she was an active member of the church choir, the Catholic Daughters of America, and the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Betty always kept herself busy with projects, activities, and travel. Playing her Silver '23 Conn saxophone, she was the driving force behind, and an active member in, a local jazz band. She enjoyed playing tennis and then golf for many years and also was an avid card player. She was proud to display her map of states that adorned her refrigerator door; there were only a few states to which she had not traveled. Betty was a proud American making sure to vote in every election. Visits from her former students and friends in the later years buoyed her spirits; she would recount these visits to each of her nieces and nephews during their frequent phone conversations.

Family meant the world to Betty. Every holiday throughout the year was shared with her sisters and their families. She treated her ten nieces and nephews as her own children, attending every noteworthy event, graduation and crab feast until she was unable. Her legacy of service, sacrifice, and faith will be long-remembered.

And it is those family members who survive, and will dearly miss, her: one sister, Mary Jane O'Leary and husband Frank, of Charlottesville, VA; a brother-in-law, Richard O'Connor, of Frederick; and those ten nieces and nephews, Kathleen Graf and husband Chuck, and Michael O'Leary, all of Baltimore; Dennis O'Leary and wife Leslie, Mary O'Leary, and Margaret Maupin and husband Mike, all of Charlottesville, VA; John O'Connor and wife Martha, of Webster, NY; Ann VonHagel and husband Ed, of Arlington, VA; Stephen O'Connor, and Michael O'Connor and wife Tammy, all of Frederick; and Richard O'Connor of West Orange, NJ. Also surviving are many great nieces, nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Patricia Ann McCaffrey O'Connor, one great-nephew and one great-niece.

The family would like to acknowledge with appreciation the many kindnesses of her long-time neighbors Bob and Kay Morrow and Walter Clem Jr. Their assistance and attention enabled her to maintain her independence at home, which was something she greatly valued.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., on Sunday, January 23, 2011, at the Keeney and Basford PA Funeral Home, 106 East Church Street, Frederick. Rosary will be held at 8:30 p.m., on Sunday evening. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, January 24, 2011, at Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 116 East Second Street, Frederick, Fr. Edward Storck, cousin of the deceased, presiding. Interment will follow in the St. John's Cemetery, Frederick.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in her memory to St. Johns Cemetery, 112 East Second Street, Frederick, MD 21701, or St. Johns Regional School, 8414 Opossum town Pike, Frederick, MD 21702 or St. Johns Prep School, 889 Butterfly Lane, Frederick, MD 21703.

Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com.