Obituary of Elizabeth Saul

Elizabeth “Betsy” Saul died on July 31, 2011 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Daughter of the late Reverend Walter E. Hoffman and Elizabeth Briscoe, she was born on December 24, 1925 in Suffern, NY. Betsy studied at Rockland and Orange Community Colleges as well as SUNY New Paltz where she earned her LPN. She was an adjunct faculty member at Dutchess Community College teaching in the EMT program. Much of Betsy’s life was spent giving back to the community by graciously donating her time to so many organizations, including the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. She was a past president of the PTA for the Hyde Park Elementary School, Haviland Junior High School and Roosevelt Senior High School. Betsy was not only Troop Leader to the Girl Scouts, but also served as a Den Mother to the Boy Scouts. Betsy’s smiling face could be seen in the Emergency Rooms at Vassar Brother’s Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital, as she volunteered for both local hospitals. The fire department was an integral part of Betsy’s life. She began her fire department career with the Hyde Park Fire Department where she responded as an EMT. Later on, Betsy joined Arlington Fire District’s Engine Company #1 where she was a life member. Betsy was the first female EMT and firefighter to volunteer with Arlington Fire District. Throughout her career as a volunteer EMT and Firefighter, she held various positions with the engine company including EMS Lieutenant, treasurer, secretary, vice president and president. Betsy’s had an amazing faith in god and her church. She was a faithful parishioner and volunteer at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Hyde Park. She was a vestry member of the church, she assisted in the church officer, she taught sunday school, served on the alter guild and was mistress of the Alcolytes. Betsy is survived by her sister Lucile D. Edwards of Tuxedo Park, NY; her niece Elizabeth Hoffman Voss and her husband Joel and their children Austin and Danielle of Clearwater, FL; her nephew Stephen E. Hoffman of Clearwater, FL; her niece Kathryn Hoffman Paul and her husband Christopher and their son Joshua of Phoenix, AZ; her cousins Col. (Ret.) Lawrence Hasbrouck of Mississippi and Sally Costa and her husband Joe of Sleepy Hollow, NY; as well as many friends who all loved her dearly. Betsy was predeceased by her brother Walter S. Hoffman, her sister-in-law Kristen T. Ekstrand, her son Edward “Ted” S. Secor, Jr. and her former husband who was the love of her life, Edward S. Secor. The family would like to thank the staff at Vassar Brothers Medical Center for the excellent care and support that Betsy received during her stay there and for making her final days comfortable. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 15, 2011 from 10 am to 12 noon at Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home at 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY. Funeral Services to follow at 1 pm at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 4526 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Arlington Professional Firefighters Association, 11 Burnett Blvd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or to St. James’ Episcopal Church, 4526 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY, 12538.