Elizabeth C. Griffo

Elizabeth “Bette” Griffo, beloved mother, grandmother, and faithful servant of God, went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 1:53 p.m., surrounded by the love of her family.

Elizabeth was born in Middletown, Connecticut, on August 29, 1938, the youngest of six children born to Sicilian immigrants Giovanni and Angelina Cazzetta. She grew up in a lively Italian home where both Sicilian and English were spoken, family was everything, and traditions were not only honored but woven into everyday life.

Her Catholic faith was one of the strongest threads running throughout her life. She received her First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Middletown and, in later years, faithfully watched Mass on EWTN. In 2026, she received the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick twice, first from Father Dan Bergbower in July and again in September from Monsignor Henry Breier, Rector of the Cathedral Basilica. Both were dear family friends.

Elizabeth graduated from Middletown’s Woodrow Wilson High School in 1956, raised her family in the area, and lived there until 2009, when she moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, to be closer to her daughter and family. She brought her beloved dog, Sydney, and a lifetime of Italian traditions and proud New England loyalties with her.

She was the proud mother of John, Michele, and Joseph; mother-in-law to John Hopkins; and grandmother to Joshua. Through the Hopkins family, she was also blessed with many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Depending on who you were, she was Bette, “B,” Momma B, Grandma B, or simply Mom.

Elizabeth was famous for her homemade spaghetti and meatballs. She made them for the annual Hopkins Family Christmas gathering without a written recipe or exact measurements, and somehow, they were always perfect and impossible to duplicate. The secret was likely equal parts love and Sicilian culinary instinct. She also put her whole heart into gift giving, and her Christmas presents to loved ones ranged from thoughtful and creative to wonderfully unexpected. Her sharp sense of humor, strong opinions, and ability to talk about almost anything helped fill these gatherings with laughter, lively conversation, and the wonderful sound of family.

Elizabeth was an avid reader who loved sharing favorite books and recent reads with family members. She was also a devoted sports fan. UConn men’s basketball held a special place in her heart. She watched every game and carefully marked each win and loss on a printed schedule. During March Madness, there was no such thing as too late to stay up if UConn was playing. She was equally loyal to the Boston Red Sox and was thrilled to see them finally win the World Series in 2004, much to the dismay of the St. Louis side of the family, because they did it by defeating the Cardinals.

Elizabeth loved her children fiercely. Her presence was woven so deeply into the life of her family that her absence will be felt in countless ordinary moments. She leaves behind the sound of laughter around a table, a pot of sauce simmering on the stove, a basketball schedule marked with wins and losses, a Red Sox game playing in the background, and generations of family who knew exactly what it meant to be loved by B.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, Giovanni and Angelina Cazzetta; her three brothers; and her two sisters. Her life was one of faith, family, culture, wit, and devotion. She will be remembered as a strong and loving woman, a proud Sicilian daughter, a devoted Catholic, and the heart of a family that will continue to carry her memory and traditions forward.

On September 6, Elizabeth entered Evelyn’s House, where she was cared for with extraordinary compassion and kindness. Her family is deeply grateful to the entire hospice team for the comfort and dignity they provided to Elizabeth and for the support they extended to those who loved her, with special thanks to Sue for her exceptional care and presence during those final days.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. Monsignor Henry Breier will serve as the main celebrant, with Father Dan Bergbower, Father Zachary Povis, and Father Joseph Martin concelebrating, and Father Hezekias Carnazzo in attendance. Immediately following Mass, family and friends are invited to gather for lunch at the Cathedral’s Boland Hall.

Elizabeth will be interred next to her parents at a later date in a private ceremony at St. Sebastian Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut.