Colonie - Dr. Betty Baum Lubitz, 99, passed away peacefully at her home on December 19, 2024. She is survived by her daughters, Faith and Martha of Albany, son Benjamin (Margaret) of Israel, and grandson Emanuel of Israel. Betty was predeceased by her ex-husband Cecil, as well as her beloved companion of many years, Charles Losacco. 

Betty was born on October 14, 1925, in Jamaica, Queens, the daughter of Harry and Molly Baum. She graduated cum laude from Brooklyn College with a BA in chemistry in 1945, going on to earn both a master’s degree (1949) and PhD (1957) in chemistry from the University of Michigan. She was an analytical chemist for many years with Sterling Winthrop in Rensselaer. A woman of diverse interests, Betty also co-led the Tri-City Folk Dancers in Schenectady, as well as teaching at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, participating in gourmet and book clubs, singing and drumming in the Ne’imah Chorus, and studying Hebrew. An avid nature enthusiast, Betty also enjoyed volunteering with Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in Delmar.

Funeral services for Betty will be held graveside on Tuesday December 24th at 2:00 pm at Beth Emeth Cemetery, 58 Turner Lane in Loudonville.

Special thanks to the Capital District Home Care Agency and The Community Hospice for their tireless care, as well as to all of Betty’s faithful visitors. Donations in Betty’s memory may be made to Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar, NY 12054-5503.