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Elizabeth Bartko
December 07, 2016

Obituary

Elizabeth “Beth” Bartko (Byron), 68, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 7, 2016, after a complications from a stroke. Funeral services will be at the Brady & Fallon Funeral Home, 10 Tower St., Jamaica Plain, on Monday, December 12th @ 9:45a.m. Visiting hours at the funeral home on Sunday from 5-8p.m.. Interment New Calvary Cemetery, Mattapan. Beth was born in Waltham, on April 23, 1948 to Helen and Walter J Bryon. She leaves behind a legacy of survival, pure grit and determination and the epitome of great friendship. As a young child, Beth contracted and survived a bout with Tuberculosis. She lost her father to the disease at age 8. Beth found solace in the love of her own mother and brother, Walter. She spoke affectionately of childhood memories of that safe feeling of home with her mom during their afternoon naps on their double bed. Beth spoke fondly of memories of a childhood trip to Hampton Beach her family took. Her childhood best friend, Ginny, became more like a sister to her. With her mother never remarrying and the kindness of the O’Hara family, Beth found a father figure in the late John O’Hara. Jean and John O’Hara along with their children, Ginny, Danny, and Kathy, were and are family to her as much as any blood relatives are. Beth’s lifelong love for cats started at a very young age where she claimed to have coaxed a stray cat to walk home with her for a few miles so she could convince her mother to let her keep it. Beth also had fond memories of the times she spent with her high school friend, Rita Bailey. Rita served as her Maid of Honor and they remained life long friends. The two had their own way of speaking to each other. You’d often hear “Isn’t that cute?” uttered when something went wrong. Rita was also considered part of her extended family and showed her typical devotion visiting Beth often when she was in the hospital. Beth married Robert Bartko in 1971, building themselves a home in Easton in 1973. They had their only child, a daughter, Stacy in 1974. Beth worked for a dentist prior to Stacy’s birth but decided to focus on raising her child. She was always there to greet Stacy after she’d get off the school bus every afternoon. Stacy has warm memories of sitting with her mother at the front window watching the robins fly and run about the yard while her mother would utter her cute little phrase “doodley doodley doo” which still brings a smile to Stacy’s face. Elizabeth was known as Beth to her friends however Robert called her Sam because she resembled some movie star or character. To this day we’re still not sure who. Funny thing is Robert’s friends called her Sam and never knew that wasn’t her real name. Beth was one Wicked Tough Cookie. Not only did she survive TB, she also beat uterine cancer at age 44 and breast cancer at age 63. Beth was a force to be reckoned with. Maybe the Sox should have consulted her years ago on what her secret was. Showing the determination of a true Red Sox fan, she attended college for over 10 years and at the young age of 52, Beth walked across the stage at Stonehill College to receive her B.S. in Healthcare Administration. Receiving her degree was one of her proudest accomplishments. Beth’s relationship with her mom was more than mother-daughter, they were best friends. Beth and Helen loved to gamble and play the slots quite a bit. She cherished those adventures going to Foxwoods with hopes they’d bring back more change than they spent. One trip to Atlantic City both Helen and Beth hit over $1000 within a minute!! They returned giddy as schoolgirls from that trip. Lots of mother-daughter trips to New Hampshire visiting with aunts, cousins and all the extended family will forever be in our memories. This legacy of the mother-daughter close bond was passed on to Beth’s relationship with her own daughter, Stacy. With all that Beth had been through, she taught Stacy about being independent and taking care of herself. Beth was and will always be Stacy’s best friend. Beth is survived by her loving daughter Stacy Bartko of Easton, brother Walter J Byron and his wife Barbara of Norfolk, MA and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in her name to St Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. http://www.stjude.org

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Brady Fallon Funeral Home and Cremation Service
10 Tower Street
Boston, MA 02130
617-524-0861