Betty Lou Upton

Betti Lou (nee Baum) Upton, 87, of Metuchen, New Jersey passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023. She was born and raised in Canton, Ohio where she was a graduate of Lincoln High School. She went on to earn a bachelor degree in Psychology at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio where she met the love of her life, Ronald Dymond Upton. They both graduated in 1957 and were married that same year. Ronald’s first job out of college brought them to New Jersey, not far from where he was born and raised.

It was there that Betti spent most of her life with her family. She worked for a short time as a social worker, and then stayed home to raise three children. After a few job changes for Ronald, Betti settled with her family in Metuchen, New Jersey where she lived for 55 years. Betti was active in the “Brainy Borough” and Irongate community where she had many friends. She loved reading and greatly enjoyed spending time at the Metuchen Public Library. Betti and Ronald enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Betti was predeceased by her husband in 2003. She is also predeceased by her parents, Bertha and Forrest Baum of Canton, Ohio, as well as her three brothers: Bernard, Donald, and William Baum. She is survived by her children: Kyle (Margaret), Melissa, and Douglas and three grandchildren: Maeve, Eamon, and Thaddeus.

Betti was well-loved for her wit, insight, and “gift of gab.” She made friends easily, cared about social issues, and loved to have in-depth conversations. She wanted to remain in Metuchen, but finally moved to Florida via Kensington, Maryland for the last two years of her life. She will be dearly missed by her friends and family.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at the Metuchen Golf & Country Club, 244 Plainfield Road, Edison, New Jersey. She will then be interred at Hillside Cemetery in Metuchen beside her beloved husband.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in honor of her memory to the Metuchen Public Library at 480 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen, New Jersey, 08840.

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