Karp, Betty Rae (Helf)

— It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Betty Rae (Helf) Karp age 96, from natural causes on Thursday, December 24, 2020. She died at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Born on July 22, 1924, in Altoona, Pa. to William Helf and Rose Etta (Mazur) Helf, Betty attended Altoona, High School and then went on to attend two years at Business School. On Groundhogs Day, February 2, 1947, Betty married the love of her life, Max Karp.

They settled in Delmar where Max worked first as a teacher then as an administrator at Bethlehem Central High School, while Betty stayed at home and raised their four children. Her life revolved around her beloved family. Betty had many friends and enjoyed a very rich and active life socializing and playing (and teaching) bridge and Mahjong. She occasionally enjoyed auditing classes at SUNY Albany. After the death of her beloved Max, and after a while living at home by herself became too much, she moved into the Beverwyck Retirement Community where she enjoyed many years of close friends and activities. She taught Mahjong and continued to play bridge. She enjoyed meeting new people and welcoming new residents while continuing to keep in touch with the close friends she had from before. Betty will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

Betty will be remembered for the sumptuous meals she prepared for the Jewish holidays where often family and close friends would gather round the table.

She was a wonderful and loving, mother, nana, and gra-nana.

Survivors include her children, Aaron (Jane) Karp, of Albuquerque, N.M., David (Gail) Karp, of Sarasota, Fla., William (Carol) Karp of Fayetteville, N.Y. and Zoe (Nancy) Karp of Malta. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Boo AbramsBickel (Steven Bickel), John (Tina) Abrams, Robert Bortell, Emily (Oren) Gal, Vic