Elizabeth Ann Fairbanks

Elizabeth Ann Fairbanks, 83 of Atlantic Highlands passed away on December 28, 2023, at HMH Riverview Medical Center.

Elizabeth “Betty Ann” was born on April 11, 1940, in Hackensack, NJ. Lived in Dumont as a small child. Enjoying her summers at the Seabright Beach Club and Masonic Camp on Lake Kanawauke in New York State. She moved to Rumson in grade school. Living on Bingham Ave. and attending Lafayette Street School. In Jr. High she moved to Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Graduated High School in 1958 and went on to attend Susquehanna University where she graduated with a degree in Education on June 3, 1962. Betty Ann married her true love, Charles, two weeks following graduation on June 16, 1962. She then started teaching in Bergenfield, NJ.

Upon Charles’s graduation from college they embarked to Freeport, IL. Betty Ann grew her family and was a stay-at-home Mom raising her three children while also being very involved in her church and community organizations. She served on the session, was a Deacon and Elder at the Freeport Presbyterian Church, member of the Shakespeare Society, Jaycees women’s division, American Association of University Women and volunteered for La Voz Latina. She enjoyed theater, music, antiques, sewing and embroidery. She also loved handmaking her children’s Halloween costumes and then later in life, her grandchildren’s.

After her husband’s untimely death in 1975, Betty Ann returned to teaching. She taught for over a combined 30 years teaching business, typing and then special education. She had amazing strength, resilience and fortitude raising three children on her own. In 1981 she moved the family to Rockford, IL where she lived until returning to Atlantic Highlands in retirement.

Betty Ann leaves behind her three children, Carolyn Bernardi, her husband Giovanni, Andrew Fairbanks, his wife Cher, Thomas Fairbanks; her three treasured grandchildren, Elizabeth “Katie” Bernardi, Johnathon Bernardi and Willow Fairbanks. Her sisters-in-law Zona Hostetler, her husband James, Linda Dougherty, her husband Edward; six nephews and nieces, Eric Hostetler, his husband David Lublin, Elizabeth Jarr, her husband Kevin, Catherine Braem, her husband Doug, Amanda Dougherty, Edward Dougherty and Matthew Whiddon; six great nephews and nieces, Burk Jarr, Charlie Jarr, Jude Jarr, Jack Braem, Isabel Braem and Briana Whiddon. Along with many friends, whose lives were touched by her beautiful soul.

She now joins in eternal rest her beloved parents, Thomas and Ruth Phillips, her late husband, Charles Fairbanks, her sister-in-law Suellen Fairbanks and nephew Randy Hostetler.

Betty Ann will be truly missed by all those who know and love her.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, 4 E River Rd, Rumson, NJ 07760 Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow services at Old Tennent Cemetery 454 Tennent Rd, Manalapan Township, NJ 07763, at 12:45 pm.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ.