OCEAN ISLE BEACH — Elizabeth J. “Betty” Kowalczyk, 80, died Thursday, May 24, 2018.
Betty was born March 20, 1938, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the middle daughter of the late Edward and Elizabeth Beckage Janecek. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred R. Kowalczyk; son, Edward W. Kowalczyk; and a sister, Mary Ann McCarthy.
She was raised in New Market, New Jersey, later named Piscataway, New Jersey, and a graduate of Punellen High School, Class of 1956.
Betty’s love for her sons led her to many hours of volunteer work with soccer (team mother), Lacrosse, Cub Scouts (den leader) and most of all, diving with her son Edward. She was a diving judge and ran many diving meets at Bridgewater Community Pool, New Jersey, and meets at Princeton University, New Jersey.
She and Alfred moved to Ocean Isle Beach in August 1995. They joined Seaside UMC and were members from 1995 to 2004. She was active in Outreach and started the Food Pantry.
After Alfred died in 2004, she went back to the Catholic church and joined St. Brendan the Navigator in Shallotte, where she was active in outreach and the food pantry. After going to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and no longer able to do volunteer work, she transferred to Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in 2010 and was a current member. She was a past member of North Myrtle Beach Christian Women’s Club. When they ended this group, she started, Our Ladies of Faith, and was still a member at the time of her death.
Surviving are her son, Thomas A. “Tom” Kowalczyk of Ocean Isle Beach; sister, Joyce Jean Cullen (Al); sisters-in-law, Laura Elbam and Jane Kowalczyk; brothers-in-law, Dan Cullen and Richard Kowalczyk; 14 nieces and nephews; and two granddogs, Flounder and Kiesel.
A Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 30, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Interment will be held in the Seaside UMC Gardens next to her husband.
Memorials may be made to Our Lady Star of the Sea Outreach Ministry, 1100 8th Ave. N., North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Online condolences can be made at brunswickfuneralservice.com.
