Betty Rae (Helf) Karp

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Betty Rae (Helf) Karp age 96, from natural causes on Thursday, December 24, 2020. She died at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Born July 22, 1924 in Altoona, PA to William Helf and Rose Etta (Mazur) Helf, Betty attended Altoona, High School and then went on to attend two years at Business School.  On Groundhogs Day, February 2, 1947, Betty married the love of her life, Max Karp.

They settled in Delmar, NY where Max worked first as a teacher then as an administrator at Bethlehem Central High School, while Betty stayed at home and raised their four children. Her life revolved around her beloved family. Betty had many friends and enjoyed a very rich and active life socializing and playing (and teaching) bridge and Mah Jongg. She occasionally enjoyed auditing classes at SUNY Albany.  After the death of her beloved Max, after a while living at home by herself became too much, and she moved into the Beverwyck Retirement Community where she enjoyed many years of close friends and activities. She taught Mah Jongg, and continued to play bridge.  She enjoyed meeting new people and welcoming new residents while continuing to keep in touch with the close friends she had from before.   Betty will be greatly missed by all those who knew her.

Betty will be remembered for the sumptuous meals she prepared for the Jewish holidays where often family and close friends would gather round the table.

She was a wonderful and loving, Mother, Nana, and Gra-nana.

Survivors include Aaron (Jane) Karp, of Albuquerque, NM, David(Gail) Karp, of Sarasota, FL, William (Carol) Karp of Fayettevile, NY and Zoe (Nancy) Karp of Malta, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren Boo Abrams -Bickel (Steven Bickel),  John (Tina) Abrams,  Robert Bortell, Emily (Oren) Gal, Victoria (Salvatore) Campanino, Samantha (Michael) Hubbard, Benjamin (Christina) Karp,  Dominick (Acacia) DeNofio She is also survived by her most beloved great grandchildren Karissa, Zach, Arianna, Eli, Max, Lily, Lexi, Nate, Will, Jake and Logan

She is also survived by her eternal “partner in crime” Gytelle Bloom

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, December 27th at  11:00am at the Temple Israel Cemetery in Guilderland, NY Relatives and friends are welcome to live stream services by going to Levine Memorial Chapel @ levinememorialchapel.com

Due to COVID traditional mourning will be restricted to immediate family.

A special thanks to all of the wonderful, amazing, patient caregivers that had helped to allow Betty to remain in her Independent Living situation at the Beverwyck.

Memorial contributions are welcome to be made to the Northeast Foodbank, Albany Shaker Road, Latham NY, 12110 @ https://regionalfoodbank.net or to a local foodbank in your community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7FlmKdySlU    Please use this link to view the service of Betty Karp commencing on Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 11:00am

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