Betty J. St. John

On May 14, 2023,  Betty Joan St. John (née Bottomley) passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She was the devoted wife of the late Robert A. St. John; cherished mother of the late Christopher (Eileen) St. John; Elizabeth (Robert) Speakman, Jane St. John, adoring grandmother of Justin (Ivana) St. John, MaryBeth (Paul) Leunes, Alexandra (John) Romano, Brittany (Tom) Flattery, Caroline (Mark) Laessig and Cecilia-Joan St. John; great-grandmother of Peter, Christopher, Luca, Avery, Christian, Paul, Mia, and Kelsey; dear sister of Jean Pizzingrilli, Jacquelyn Angeli, Finella Farrar, and Lawrence Bottomley and predeceased by her parents Stuart and Hilda Bottomley (née Ridgway) and sisters Peggy Stevens, Jessica Niddrie and Mavis Hardy.

Betty was born in London, England. She met the love of her life, Robert St. John at a dance and dated for two years while he was stationed in London with the U.S. Navy. Her love, courage, and spirit of adventure were evident when she emigrated to the United States in 1950 crossing the transatlantic on the Queen Elizabeth Cunard Ship to marry Bob. Bob and Betty raised their three children in Brooklyn N.Y. and after retirement moved to Voorhees N.J.  She was a longtime employee of Strawbridges. Betty loved visiting Australia and spending time with her parents and extended family including her sisters, brother, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She had so many fun times, shared so many laughs, and made wonderful memories with her family.

Betty was an avid sewer, who had a great flair for fabrics and sewed beautiful clothes for family members and herself. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Betty was a voracious reader enjoying the novels of Jane Austin, Nevil Shute, and Minette Walters. She was very witty often citing what her family lovingly coined “Nannyisms” and loved watching her ‘shows’ especially those that shared her clever English humor.

Betty’s family will receive friends on Saturday, May 20, 2023, from 9:30- 10:45 am at Kain Murphy Funeral Services, 15 West End Ave. Haddonfield, NJ where her funeral service will immediately follow at 11 am. For those who like to attend the services via Zoom please email us at kainmurphy@comcast.net for the link. Interment will follow the funeral service at Locustwood Cemetery in Cherry Hill.