Bette Gail Staruk

WORCESTER - Bette Gail Staruk died peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 30, 2021, after a four-year battle with Neuroendocrine cancer. Prior to her passing, Bette was embraced lovingly by family and friends during her self-described “PreF” (pre-funeral). She had an abundance of in-person and virtual visits at her home during a week-plus vigil. Bette loved to entertain, and she continued her hostess role right up until the end.

Bette was born and raised in Worcester, daughter of the late Gerald and Lynne (Ayik) Steeves. She graduated from Burncoat Senior High School, where she met the love of her life, Mark. She studied bookkeeping at Quinsigamond Community College and used those skills throughout her lifetime. Above everything, Bette was a Mother To All.

Bette loved spending time with her friends and family, including extended periods at their idyllic family home in Chester, MA where she made many cherished, long-time friends. She was compassionate and caring, always made time for friends and family, and could whip up enough food and goodies for an army with little notice. She amazed all with her baking and culinary skills; she even made her own wedding cake for 300 guests! Bette never turned down a good adventure, and was an avid snow-mobiler, loved to four-wheel throughout their acres of woods in the Berkshires, and enjoyed touring on her Spyder three-wheel motorcycle. All these adventures, of course, were shared with her husband. She captured life in her photographs, which were documented in her museum-quality Creative Memories scrapbooks.

Bette leaves a legacy of love. She was a full-time homemaker and mother, raising her children with patience, discipline, and the spirit of sharing, and instilling in them generosity, kindness, and commitment to public service. But Bette’s pride and joy truly came as a grandmother. She reveled in her adventures with Madilyn and Molly during their “Nonnie House Days,” and couldn’t get enough time in Maine with Lincoln and Oliver. Bette fought hard to meet her newest granddaughter soon to be born, but was blessed to “meet” her via a 3-D ultrasound.

Bette leaves behind her husband of 38 years, Mark, her high school sweetheart, life companion, and best friend. She leaves her son Daniel, her daughter-in-law Jody, and granddaughters Madilyn and Molly; her son Andrew, her daughter-in-law Nicole, and future granddaughter; and her daughter Bethany Howard, her son-in-law Matthew, and grandsons Lincoln and Oliver. Bette also leaves behind her sisters Donna Oberg and her husband Ron, Cathie Martin and her husband Dick, and Ruth Bergstrom and her husband Bill, as well as brother-in-law Bill Gasparak and sister-in-law Darlene Staruk. Bette was welcomed as a member of the Staruk family when she was just a teen, and she leaves her Staruk siblings Janet Lee, Harry and his wife Peggy, Paul and his wife Jane, Jim, Peter, and Scott and his wife Janice. She leaves countless nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, whom she showered with love. Last but not least, she leaves all those who knew her and loved her as “Mama Staruk.”

Besides her parents, Bette is also predeceased by her sister Diane Gasparak, her in-laws Mary and Harry Staruk, brothers-in-law Philip and Steven Staruk, and Donald Lee. She now joins her most beloved friends Debbie Parks, Barbara Lane, and Brian Woods.

Lastly, Bette wanted to ensure that we thank her medical care team, particularly Dr. Ennis, Dr. Switzer, and Becky of JHC Palliative/Hospice.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bette’s family on Monday, July 5, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden, MA. She will be honored during a service at Greendale People’s Church, 75 Francis Street in Worcester on Tuesday, July 6, at 10:00 a.m. with burial immediately following in Grove Cemetery in Holden. In lieu of flowers, you may honor Bette by making a donation to the Livestrong Program (c/o Barry Brigham, YMCA, 75 Shore Drive, Worcester, MA 01605) or to Greendale People’s Church (75 Francis Street, Worcester, MA 01606).

Bette was a kind and loving woman. This is a statement not made lightly. She was giving, compassionate, honest, hard-working, and loyal. Once you became Bette’s friend, she kept you in her heart. Please remember her by enjoying every moment, listening to the birds chirp, smelling the flowers, and smiling for the camera!


To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit "The Tribute Wall."