Betty Pantuso

Mrs. Betty Lee (Hatcher) Pantuso, age 86, passed away on July 4, 2023, in Tampa, FL.

Born in 1936, in Kingsport, TN, to Irvin and Helen (Pebley) Hatcher, Betty married the love of her life, Anthony J. Pantuso Jr., in 1957, and they eventually settled in Newtown. Betty was widowed in 1972 and never remarried, having done it exactly right the first time.

Betty spent two decades in the Legal Department at Union Carbide in Danbury. After retirement, she moved to Fountain Hills, Arizona, where she volunteered with the Kiwanis and other organizations.

Betty is survived by her three children Helen Pantuso (David Small), LeeAnne Clark (Charles), and Anthony J Pantuso III (Rachel); two grandchildren, Julia Clark and Dean Clark, stepgrandson Aaron Accarino; many beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews; and an extended “family” of dear friends of all ages.

Betty dreamed of seeing the world. So, once her children were grown, she reminded her daughters what challenging teenagers they’d been. To compensate they began taking her on exotic trips. Betty visited England, Italy, Greece, Russia,

Bali, Costa Rica, Mexico, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Scotland, among many others. When asked if she was done she would say, “When are we going to the pyramids?”

No social gathering was ever as lively as one in which Betty held court. She was a diehard baseball and hockey fan, adored good food and fine wine, and loved to read, especially mysteries. Having lived such an astonishing life, Betty’s family’s only regret is that she never got to see the pyramids.

A memorial service will be held on September 9, 2023 at Honan Funeral Home in Newtown. She will be interred next to her beloved husband at St. Rose Cemetery in Newtown. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL.