Betty Ann Ryder (née Latteri, 1908-12-04 – 1980-09-15), born as Benedetta and maybe sometimes using Bettina or Bessie, was my paternal grandmother, wife of Fred Ryder and mother of my father Ronnie. Born in Italy, she immigrated with her family as an infant.
Early life
Betty was born as Benedetta in San Fratello, Italy, the daughter of Antonino and Giuseppa (née Latteri) Latteri. Her parents Anglicized their names as Anthony and Josephine. She was the last of the children to be born in Italy and was brought over as an infant.
Family
She married my grandfather Fred Ryder on 1937-11-25 in New York City. They moved to New Jersey around 1941 and had two children:
- Douglas Frederick (1944-09-11 – 2020), who married twice, and has one daughter y Otj St M Psmirhzelhr Kt Dlh Lz.
- Ronald Anthony (1949-02-19 – 2021-05-25), my father. I am his only child.
Fred died in 1956, and there was a legal battle over whether his employer was liable for his death. After a protracted court case which lasted 3½ years, she lost and thus received nothing. See his article for details on these events.
Obituaries
There are two obituaries I have found her for with slightly different wording.
One published in the Asbury Park Press on 1980-09-16:ref
MRS. BETTY A. RYDER
LITTLE SILVER — Betty A. Ryder, of North Sunnycrest Drive, died yesterday at the Red Bank Convalescent Center.
She was born In Italy and lived in New York before moving here several years ago.
Mrs. Ryder was a communicant of St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank.
Her husband, Frederick Ryder, died in 1956.
Surviving are two sons, Douglas, with whom she lived, and Ronald; a sister, Miss Marie Latteri, here, and two brothers, Fred Latteri, here, and Benedict Latteri, Long Branch.
The John E. Day Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Another dated the same day is a newspaper clipping I’ve had for decades of unknown origin:
Betty A. Ryder
LITTLE SILVER — Betty A. Ryder, 87 N. Sunnycrest Drive, died Monday at the Red Bank Convalescent Center.
Mrs. Ryder was born in Italy and lived in New York City before moving here a number of years ago.
She was a communicant of St, James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank.
Her husband, Frederick Ryder, died in 1956.
Surviving are two sons, Douglas Ryder, with whom she lived, and Ronald Ryder, here; two brothers, Fred Latteri, here, and Benidict Latteri of Long Branch; a sister, Miss Marie Latteri, here, and a grandson.
The John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, is in charge of arrangements.
Besides the small changes in phrasing, the spelling of Benedict differs.