Betsy Ustach, a 40-year veteran 3rd Grade Teacher for St. John School in the North End passed away earlier this week.
Miss Betsy had taught the 3rd grade at the school since 1973. She was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Principal Karen McLaughlin called Miss Betsy “an outstanding teacher to our children. She worked her entire career at St. John School and her dedication to her work and her students was evident everyday she entered her classroom. She will be remembered fondly by all of us that worked with her as well as the countless children who had the opportunity to be taught by her.”
In addition to teaching her 3rd grade students, Miss Betsy led the St. John School Children’s Choir. Her students sang in the church choir at various school events, went Christmas caroling around the North End and this past December participated in the Christmas in the North End, Concerto di Natale (Christmas Concert) at Sacred Heart Italian Church. Her enduring legacy for all that she had done for the students and St. John School will be forever in our hearts and memories.
A daughter of St. Augustine’s Parish, Miss Betsy was born and raised in South Boston and continued to live there until her passing.
An updated obituary is shown below:
USTACH, Maribeth K. “Betsy” Of South Boston, June 10, 2013. Devoted daughter of the late Francis R. and Mary E. (Bohan) Ustach. Loving sister of “Butch” and Mary Ustach of Hull, Tricia and Paul Raftery of FL, John and Linda Ustach of ME, Steve and Wendy Ustach of Brewster and Tom and Carol Ustach of ME. Cherished aunt and great aunt of Frank and Laura, Mike, Sean, Michelle, Mark, Julia and Chris, Kate and Rick, Jacob, Andrew, Hunter, Emily, Kerri and John, Kristen and Keith, Ashley, Cassandra, Kelsey, Jack, Owen, Danielle and Joe, T.J, Brandon and Collin. Also survived by her dear friend Elena Rossetti, relatives and friends. “Betsy” was a distinguished teacher who taught at the St. John School in the North End for 42 years and educated over a thousand students during her tenure. She was director of the St. John Choir and was lovingly referred to as “Miss Betsy” by her students. Also an active parishioner of the former St. Augustine Church and an avid Boston sports fan. Visiting hours will be in the O’Brien Funeral Home, 146 Dorchester St., South Boston, Sunday from 4-8 p.m. Funeral Mass in St. Brigid Church, Monday at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. Interment Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. In lieu of flowers please make donations in “Betsy’s” memory to the St. John School, 9 Moon St., Boston, MA 02113.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
Thank you to Miss Betsy for her dedication all these years to the children of St. John School. You were a wonderful teacher and loved by so many. The choir will never be the same without your great leadership. You will be missed Miss Betsy, may you rest in peace.
Rest in Peace, Miss Betsy.
Ms. Betsy was a great teacher and loyal as well, we will miss her dearly
Such a dedicated teacher. For those of us who taught with her for so many years, there will be such a void. She loved the children – that was what her teaching was all about. Honest and fair, she was always well respected for that. That was her M O strict but fair… and the kids knew that about her .The 8th grade had dedicated their year book to her, never knowing she would soon pass away. She received it two weeks ago so I am sure it was a joyful moment for Betsy. All of us still so stunned by the sad news. Rest in Peace.
So sad to hear the loss of my third grade teacher Miss Betsy. She dedicated her whole professional life to educating the children of Saint John School. I will always have fond memories of her as a teacher and later as a friend. In her memory I will say: Go Sox!!
All the students that Miss Betsy taught are better for it. She was truly one of a kind and will be missed. Rest In Peace
Miss Betsy, you were taken far too soon. You were a wonderful teacher and the St. John students learned so much from you. You touched so many children’s (and parent’s) lives in your 40 years. Rest in peace Miss Betsy and thank you for all you taught!
On behalf of the St. Leonard Choral Society of the North End, I extend my deepest sympathy to the St. John’s School community on the loss of Ms. Betsy. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her in putting together Christmas concerts as well as this year’s Mother’s Day concert. She did a great job of preparing the children and I was really looking forward to working with her on more concerts. Ms. Betsy, you will be greatly miss by all of us. May the Angels lead you into Paradise!
Betsy,
you were my favorite teacher and a treasured friend. i will miss you terribly. thanks for all of the great memories. rest in peace. god bless.
sandra
So sad to hear of Miss Betsy’s Passing
I will miss her, may she rest in peace.
Though I never met Ms. Betsy, I feel I knew her. She will be sorely missed by one and all whose lives she touched as a teacher. She has taken up her next position as the Choir Master for the singing angels up above. RIP
Miss Betsy was an amazing person and teacher who will be greatly missed. She will always be in our hearts and I will never forget her.