Obituary of Bette Ellen Pritchett

Bette E. Pritchett

(December 21, 1947 – December 4, 2023)

Bette passed away from complications of dementia just short of her 76^th birthday, but according to her she never turned a day over 39. If she were to write her own obituary it would be two simple words, “I’m dead.” She would probably want to add that she was proud to have never pumped her own gas. Instead, we get to tell her life story. 

In her final year, she was cared for by the wonderful staff at Foothill Acres in Hillsborough, NJ, and before that by her husband of 52 wonderful (???) years, Bill.

She was predeceased by her parents Adolph and Miriam Fischer. She is survived by her husband Bill, her three children Brian and his wife Sarah (Fehley), Dan, Stefanie and husband Chris Hosgood. She has four mostly well-behaved grandchildren: Olivia Pritchett, Adeline, Zach, and Mikayla Hosgood, and Sarah’s niece, Brooke Fehley, whom she considered a granddaughter. In addition, she is survived by four brothers - Philip, David, Alben & wife Priscilla, and Joal Fischer, a nephew, Gabrial & wife Tokiah Kennedy, three nieces Katelyn & fiancé Alex, Kylie, and Kathryn. Most importantly, she is survived by her 1957 Chevy Bel Aire, her favorite car- and her least favorite- the 1995 Chevy Cavalier. 

Bette was a lifelong resident of New Jersey, born in Newark and raised in Maplewood. She resided in Readington. She graduated from Columbia H.S., attended and graduated from Dean University in Franklin, MA, and Montclair State in New Jersey; she later attended Raritan Valley Community College for further education. She worked as a tax preparer in her later years, retiring when her youngest grandchildren were born so she and Bill could babysit them; Bette would usually do the watching while Bill did most of the napping. Bette was the kind of person who would not be in the picture because she was too busy playing photographer to document everything.

She was a long-time member of both the National and the NJ Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America along with the Buzzards Breath Touring Region, where she had many friends, and enjoyed going on antique car tours with her antique husband - always taking one of their antique cars. In addition, she was a member of car clubs representing Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, Mustang, and MG T’s. 

She was an avid reader who would read anything put in front of her. In addition to her cars and books, she enjoyed her alone time away from Bill in the garden, shopping, being on the beach, creating miniatures, or taking walks. She loved being a grandmother because she could spoil them and send them back.

Every Christmas for 45+ years Bette would open her house to family and invite friends who were not able to be with their loved ones, creating memories, and food comas. The month of December was her favorite as she would also celebrate the Festival of Lights and finally relax on New Years Day. She enjoyed decorating the house for EVERY season / holiday and would often wear outfits to match.

Bette always stated, “Don’t give me flowers when I’m dead, give them to me when I’m alive.” In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the AACA or a charity of your choice, call someone you haven’t spoken to in a bit, read a book, or volunteer somewhere for a few hours. 

Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Hwy 28 Whitehouse, New Jersey, from 2 – 4 pm. Her wish would be to have antique cars attend, as well as their driver, if possible.  Also, wear your car club clothing if you desire as I will be dressed that way.  Please come informally.