Obituary of Betty J. Henderson

Bettyjane Henderson, nee Craig (94) of Toms River, NJ, passed into the hands of the Lord on November 14th, 2023, after suffering from Alzheimer’s for a number of years. She was born and raised in West Chester, PA, on January 17th, 1929, to Joseph and Ada Craig. After graduating from high school, she attended King’s College in Delaware where she met her future husband, Doug Henderson of Staten Island, NY, who she married in 1951. Doug’s military career took them first to Mississippi, and then to Massachusetts where they began to raise a family. In 1958, they moved their growing family to Neptune, NJ. Betty and the family were actively involved for many years at 5th Avenue Chapel in Belmar, NJ. She loved her family of seven children and was kept very busy caring for them. She loved cooking and baking, as well as sewing, quilting, knitting, crocheting, and gardening. In 1977, they moved to East Greenville, PA, and then in 1984 they moved to New Hampshire to care for unwed mothers at a ministry called His Mansion, where they served as houseparents in a program called New Beginnings. Upon retiring in the late 1980s, Doug and Bettyjane decided to build a post-and-beam home in their adopted state of NH. The project took several years, and they were intimately involved in the blueprints, milling of local trees, and construction, of which they were justly proud. Moving into the home in 1992, it served them well for 25+ years. At this time, they attended and were actively involved in various ways at Valley Bible Chapel in Hillsboro, NH, and they loved entertaining their friends from the church and the community in their home. Her retirement years allowed her more time for reading, gardening, and enjoying nature. And she was always happy to have her family come enjoy their home in the woods. She and Doug moved back to NJ in 2017 to be close to their children and grandchildren. She is predeceased by Doug, her husband of 71 years, and is survived by her brother John Craig (Diane), and her 7 children: Joanne Henderson (Marci), Mark Henderson (Donna), Beth Wilson (David), Barbara Henderson (Susan), Scott Henderson (Kim), Ellen Swaim (David), and Heather Hansen (Tom). She is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Sarah (Dylan), Rachel, Tyler (Kelly), Connor, Meghan, Jonathan, and Elizabeth. The family would like to thank Bayada Hospice for their fine service, and especially nurse Pat, who was personally involved in Betty’s care for the past year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: His Mansion Ministries, 395 Wolf Hill Road, Deering, NH 03244 (www.hismansion.com) A time of gathering will be held at the 5th Ave. Chapel, 5th Ave. & 'B' Street, Belmar, NJ on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 from 11:00am to 12:00pm followed by a Funeral Service at 12:00. Burial will be private.