Bette Bitter Cadwallader

Bette Cadwallader, age 95, passed away surrounded by loved ones on September 19, 2016. She was born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, daughter of the late Beatrice Howard and Arthur Henry Bitter, M.D. F.A.C.S on January 27, 1921.

Bette attended public schools in Quincy, Illinois, Monticello Junior College in Godfrey, Illinois where she was Life President of her 1940 class, graduated a Merit Scholar before transferring to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts where she received her BA degree in 1942. It was at Smith that she met Lt. Robert (“Bob”) Thomas Cadwallader then stationed at Westover Airfield Base prior to his departure for thirty-nine (39) months in the European Theatre with the 8th Air Force. Upon her graduation from Smith, she relocated to Washington, D.C. and was a Research Analyst in the Military Intelligence Division in the Pentagon, remaining until the conclusion of World War II. When Lt. Colonel Cadwallader returned from Europe they were married in Quincy, Illinois on October 13, 1945. After their marriage they relocated to Bob’s home of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Westinghouse Electric where they would remain until being transferred to Raleigh in 1954.

Bette was first of all a mother to their three (3) adored sons. However, she always found time to give to her communities. She was an active member of the Junior League in Pittsburgh and in Raleigh, a past President of the Raleigh Fine Arts Society, a docent at the N.C. Executive Mansion, an active member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder, past President of Women of the Church, receiving the coveted Life Membership in Presbyterian Women. In addition she belonged to the Town and Country Garden Club, Carolina Country Club, was an accomplished pianist, loved to sing and dance, and was convinced her frequent bridge games kept her young.

Bette was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her parents, brother Art, and devoted friend Ed Hartzell of Pittsfield, Illinois. She is survived by three sons: Robert T. Cadwallader, Jr. and his wife, Kate, of Durham; Stepdaughters Laura, Carrie and Jessica Milliken; Jeffrey B. Cadwallader and Diane Turner of Garner; Stephen C. Cadwallader and Gwinn Moss of Raleigh; six grandchildren, Craig Cadwallader and fiancé Jennifer of Raleigh; Brian Cadwallader and his wife, Liz of Raleigh; Katherine and Michael Cadwallader of Raleigh; David Cadwallader and his wife Gabi of Miami, Florida; Jenny Cadwallader Bernard and her husband, Dave, of Charleston, S.C.; and great grand-daughters Madison, Rose Bernard and great-grandsons Tate and Oliver Bernard of Charleston; Samuel Cadwallader of Miami, and Grayson Cadwallader of Raleigh. Surviving also are sister Barbara Carson of Addison, Vermont and brother William Bitter of Louisville, Kentucky, along with six (6) nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service in the Jane Bell Space at White Memorial. Interment will be held privately for the family beforehand.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church or Transitions Life Care of the Triangle. The family would like to express their appreciation to the entire staff of Transitions Life Care and Brighton Gardens of Raleigh for their kindness, caring and love over the past two years.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh.