Elizabeth T. “Beth” Sullivan, formerly of the Wurtsboro area, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at her home in Hudson, FL. She was 67.
The daughter of the late Gerard W. Valles and Dorothy O’Haire Valles, she was born November 26, 1954 in Staten Island. She was the widow of John P. Sullivan who predeceased her on July 13, 2011.
Beth was a hard worker who became a mom at a very young age. Life wasn’t always easy for her, but she always prevailed. She worked as a bartender at Danny’s in Wurtsboro for many years where she made lifelong friends. She then left Danny’s and worked at The Nugget in Monticello for a few years before she and John moved to Ellenville and then to the state of Florida in 2008.
She loved working in her garden and was proud of her home. Her family loved her cooking and there was not an event that she wasn’t asked to bring one of her renowned lasagnas. Elizabeth’s cooking was a source of comfort to her friends, patrons, and family, primarily her daughter. The customers at Danny’s would also agree that they wanted her to make their roast beef sandwiches.
She loved children and usually had a full house. Everybody came to Aunt Beth’s house to swim in the pool and have fun. She was also an animal lover and even spent time volunteering at a dog rescue and transported dogs for the rescue while she was in Florida. She was loved by all who knew her well and she was kind-hearted, good-natured and would give to others without ever expecting anything in return. She had a great sense of humor and loved to tell stories with her friends and family and make everyone laugh. She loved her family more than anything and the only solace in this terrible loss is that she is watching out for all of them on the other side. Our hearts are broken, as we loved her so and there will never be another “Beth.”
She is survived by her only child: Jeanette Smith and her husband Jeffrey of Wurtsboro; one sister Barbara (Kevin) Twomey of New Windsor; five sisters-in-law: Marie Whitney and her longtime partner, Bob Beadling of Brooksville, FL, Donna Tomlinson of Brooksville, FL, Edith Pittman of Brooksville, FL, Nancy Valles of Barnegat, NJ, and Ruth Valles of Staten Island, NY. She is also survived by her partner for the past six years, John Giarrusso of Hudson, FL. She has one grandchild and two step-grandchildren, Lucas Smith of LaMesa, CA and Allison Smith of Glen Cove, NY; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and countless friends, one being her best friend, Joe Pistoia of Middletown. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by two brothers: Robert P. Valles and Gerard P. “Jerry” Valles.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street, in Wurtsboro, with a funeral service starting at approx. 6:15 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Sullivan County SPCA, 104 Rock Hill Dr., Rock Hill, NY 12775.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com.