Elizabeth “Betsey” Herko (née Rummel), beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, died peacefully at home on December 31, 2025 in Ossining, NY. Born November 23, 1939 at Peekskill Hospital, Betsey was raised in Croton-on-Hudson and built her home and family in Ossining.
At Croton-Harmon High School, Betsey contributed actively to school life, participating in the cheerleading squad as a twirler, the Junior Debs, the Suzie Q’s and the Leaders Club. Upon graduating in 1957, she was eager to continue her education and attended Gregg secretarial school, later becoming a secretary at General Precision Laboratory in Pleasantville.
On August 18, 1963 Betsey married Edward John Herko of Ossining at Holy Name of Mary Church in Croton. They lived first in Croton, then began their family in Ossining. A dedicated wife and mother, she stopped working before the birth of their first child and focused her energies and skills on raising their children and running the household, everything from cooking and cleaning to managing the family finances, all while supporting her husband’s active music performance and teaching career. As her children grew, she resumed working outside the home as a receptionist at the oral surgery office of Dr. Alan Cohen in Ossining.
While Betsey was a local soul, she also loved to travel. Each summer she prepared the family for two months of exploring the United States by car, pulling their travel trailer. Later, she served as a chaperone for Ossining High School international trips, going to Italy, Greece, Russia, and beyond. And late in their years, she and Ed went on countless cruises with family friends.
Betsey was never so happy as when she was holding a baby in her arms, and so she welcomed the arrival of and caring for her grandchildren in later life. She left her legacy of love, kindness and dedication to family to those who survive her: her sister Rita Wilcox, her two children and their respective spouses, Edward and Michelle Herko and Suzanne Herko and Mark Felton, and her three grandchildren – Olivia Maria Herko, Nicholas Herko Felton, and Simone Herko Felton. She was predeceased by her husband Edward, her parents Emma Kunzmann Rummel and Hermann Rummel, and her brothers David and Robert Rummel. There will be a visitation Friday, January 9th, 5-7 PM at Coffey Funeral Home, 91 North Broadway, Tarrytown and services Saturday, January 10th at 11:15 AM at The Church of the Magdalene, 525 Bedford Road, Sleepy Hollow, followed by a burial at St. Augustine’s Cemetery in Ossining. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Ossining Public Library (https://ossininglibrary.org/donate).