Obituary of Bettie Ann Andruscavage

Bette Ann Andruscavage (nee Leaders), 96, died on 11/3/2020. Bette is survived by her sister, Polly Berquist, children Eric, Holly and Lisa Andruscavage as well as Barbara Draeyer and former daughter-in-law Thidarat Andruscavage. She is survived by three grandchildren, Rowin, Brian and Elizabeth Andruscavage and two great-grandchildren, Warren and Thaisa Andruscavage as well as many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Albert (Andy) Andruscavage who would have been 100 years old on the day of her death. She is also predeceased by her siblings Barbara Leaders Brod and Richard Leaders.

Bette graduated from Drexel Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in textiles. She met her husband, Andy, at Drexel. While she raised her 3 children she volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America as a leader and leader trainer. She was a member of the garden club where she developed her skills in the art of flower arranging. She taught all three of her children and at least one neighbor, how to sew. Bette started sewing at the age of 12 and sewed most of the clothing worn by herself and her daughters until they started sewing their own clothes. During these years she picked cherries from the trees in the backyard and made them into wine. Her gardens were the envy of the neighbors. She volunteered wherever she was needed, and she was the mother most likely to transport her children and neighbors to their activities.

 At the end of her child-raising years, Bette started her successful career in real estate that lasted for more than 20 years.

The center of Bette’s life was helping others. She served for many years on the Woodgate condominium board and was a very active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal church in Harris Hill as a vestry woman and on the altar guild. On the altar guild was known for her colorful flower combinations on the altar. She was one of the original members of the Clarence Book Club. Bette always helped her older friends and, even into her 90’s, Bette helped the older people in her community with meals, companionship and transportation.

Bette had many interests including a great love of gardening, birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. She shared her gardening and flower arranging expertise even during the final days of her life. She enjoyed photography and golf and played bridge for 70 years. She traveled to Russia, Thailand, the Galapagos Archipelago, Hawaii and many parts of the United States, excited to learn about other people and places.

Bette remained vibrant and active throughout her later years and looked forward to summer water aerobics with her Woodgate condominium friends well into her 90’s, encouraging her friends to come out and exercise. She made greeting cards with her own photos of flowers and trees that she had taken from her deck. Bette was not afraid of new technologies. She loved keeping up with family and friends on Facebook and could be found watching YouTube videos of garden shows and hummingbirds on her iPad. On the morning of her death, Bette was talking politics (it was election day) and giving gardening advice.

Bette was thankful for the help from her friends in her community in the final years of her life but moved to Virginia to live with her daughter when Covid restricted those people from visiting. She missed them dearly as we will all miss Bette.

Donations in memoriam can be sent to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Harris Hill Road in Williamsville, NY 14221 or to Episcopal Relief and Development.

"A virual Celebration of life will be presented by her pastor, Vicki Zust, on 11/22/20 at 4:00 pm. Requests for the Zoom link can be sent to lisaandruscavage@gmail.com. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. (540)366-0707.