Bette Silver Mahoney

Bette Silver Mahoney died in her home in Rappahannock County, Virginia on January 29, 2023. She was born in New York City on April 1, 1939, to Isaac and Libby Silver.

She is survived by her husband, William "Mike" Mahoney of 60 years: her two brothers, Robert, and Nathan Silver; her two children, Kathryn Ruth Mahoney and Timothy Michael Mahoney; her granddaughter, Laura Kathleen Mahoney; her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Kutra Mahoney; her son-in- law, William O'Reilly; and various cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She grew up in New York and attended public schools, graduating from City College (now Baruch College). She moved to Chicago to pursue a PhD in economics at the University of Chicago which is where she met her husband. Shortly after their marriage they moved to the Washington, DC/ Virginia area where, over the years they had several different homes. In 1986 they moved to Rappahannock County in Virginia. During her career she worked in senior positions at the Office of Economic Opportunity: the (then) Department of Health, Education and Welfare; and the Department of Defense. She chaired several inter-agency taskforces and prepared a major report for Congress on the measure of poverty. She was instrumental in the development of new government data collection efforts which continue to this day.

After her retirement, she took up community involvement with a passion. She served on many boards and was an officer and chair of several. She contributed both time and money. Her proudest accomplishments included the establishment of the Rappahannock Food Pantry for which she served as its first president. Another was implementing an enduring structure for the Rappahannock Benevolent Fund. She was a devoted mother and wife; she was admired and loved by many.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to charity of choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at moserfuneralhome.com.