Elizabeth Adams

Betty was born in Orange, NJ, on January 12, 1928; she died on her 98th birthday, January 12, 2026, in Lakewood, NJ. Early childhood was in Wood-Ridge, NJ, with one sister, Barbara Fenton (now deceased) and two brothers, Thomas Fenton (now deceased) and Richard Fenton. Betty graduated from Columbia High School in Maplewood/South Orange, NJ, and Douglas College, New Brunswick, NJ, where she studied psychology.

She met her husband, Richard G. (“Dick”) Adams when they were both 15. Her sailboat had capsized during a race at the Lavallette Yacht Club; he helped her flip the boat upright and get back to shore. When Dick died on August 7, 2016, they had been happily married for 67 years. She traveled across the U.S. with Dick and their kids, and also traveled with Dick to Tahiti, Europe, and Alaska. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on a cruise to Nova Scotia.

They raised two children, Susan and Richard (“Rick”), while living in Cumberland Hill, RI and Montclair, NJ. She led Brownie and Cub Scout troops, and was active with LYC’s junior sailing program while Susan and Rick were learning to sail. Betty and Dick sailed Comets, M-Scows, and Sanderlings in weekly LYC and BBYRA races. They enjoyed summer homes in Lavallette, first on Philadelphia Avenue, and later on West Point Island. Dick’s work took them to Greenville, SC for a few years, but when he retired, they made West Point Island their full-time home. All of their houses were full of visitors; Betty often invited kids, grandkids, other family members, and friends to visit and stay.

Betty was especially close to her sister, Barbara Fenton Pond. With Barbara’s children, Cindy, Jim, and Larry, the families celebrated holidays together, took the children on day trips, and sat on the Lavallette beach together.

Regular get-togethers with Susan’s and Rick’s families were always great fun – exploring Houston, New Orleans, Lavallette, and Anna Maria Island, FL with children and grandchildren.

At age 85, after Superstorm Sandy damaged their house, Dick and Betty moved to Harrogate, a life-plan community in Lakewood, NJ. They took full advantage of activities there, including bridge groups, day trips, concerts, and plays. Betty made many new friends at Harrogate; she was known for her outgoing, positive personality and her sense of humor. She loved to tell a good joke.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Susan Adams Boyd and her husband John Boyd; her son, Richard G. Adams, Jr. and his wife Barbara; four grandchildren, David Boyd (and his wife Ashley C. Boyd), Alison Boyd, Hilary Adams Hall (and her husband David Hall), and Brent Adams; and two great-grandchildren, Kevin Boyd, and Owen Boyd; as well as many much-loved nieces and nephews.