Elizabeth H. Hay

Elizabeth Helen Hay passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at the age of 88. She was born on August 11, 1934 to Louis and Susie Boldizar Szecsi in Florence Township of New Jersey.

Betty, as she was lovingly known, is survived by her husband of 65 years, Clifford C. Hay, at home in Cobleskill, her daughter Brenda Hay and her husband Mostafa Oukili of New Paltz, her son Clifford C. Hay II and his wife Ann E. Hay of Cobleskill. She leaves behind four beautiful granddaughters, Suzanne Lee in New York City, Kristine Hay in Cobleskill, Nora Oukili and Amina Oukili from New Paltz. Betty is predeceased by her eldest daughter, Lizabeth Lee.

Cliff and Betty originate from New Jersey and moved their family to Cobleskill in 1960 where they quickly became part of the community. Betty was a member of the Schoharie County Democratic Committee, the Arts Council, and Secretary of the Schoharie County Retired Teachers Association. Betty was very civic minded and encouraged everyone to vote and make their voices heard. Betty received the Notable Woman Award for Leadership from SUNY Cobleskill for leadership, volunteer service, and special contribution to the community in 2006.

Betty returned to college at the age of 34 when her youngest child, Cliff, started kindergarten. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business education at the State University of New York at Albany. She then taught at Cobleskill High School for 20 years until her retirement. Betty was a voracious reader of history and novels. She particularly enjoyed John Grisham novels, which she incorporated when teaching her favorite subject, Business Law. Always a teacher, Betty enjoyed discussing history with her granddaughters as they were learning it in school. Upon retirement, Cliff and Betty spent time at their winter home in Merritt Island, Florida enjoying boating and warm weather.

Betty will be greatly missed by her family, her community, her students, and all who knew her.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 from 4-7PM at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill. The funeral service will be held at 10AM on Friday, September 30, 2022 at the funeral home with Rev, Anna Blinn Cole of the Cobleskill United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Clifford and Elizabeth Hay Schohlarship Endowment, SUNY Cobleskill Foundation and mailed to SUNY Cobleskill Foundation 106 Suffolk Circle, 228 Knapp Hall, Cobleskill, NY 12043 or online giving is available at www.cobleskill.edu/give with The Clifford and Elizabeth Hay Scholarship Endowment identified in the Designation-Other field.