Person:Elizabeth Murray (10)

Obituary SMITH-Betty, 92, of Greenlawn, on August 7, 2006. Beloved mother of Trudy (Robert) Fitzsimmons. Loving Grandmother of Ann Burrows, Kelly Lazo, Lisa Pryhocki, Dan Fitzsimmons, and great grandmother of Riley Fitzsimmons. Cherished sister of Rita Byers and aunt to many nieces and nephews. Visitation M.A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Ave., Huntington, Thursday 2-5 and 7-9PM. Mass Friday 9:30AM, St. Hugh's Church. Published in Newsday on 8/9/2006.

Elizabeth Smith is known to her family as Aunt Betty. She is sometimes called Big Red, a name given to her by Richard Lisbey, because of her bright red hair. At the time of the construction of this family tree, Betty (86) was the oldest surviving member of the descendants of Dennis and Mary Murray. She is the source for many of the stories told in this family tree.

Betty's first job was painting sepia photographs at Perry Studio, where she earned $8 a week. Her mother did not want her to work, but Betty was a very independent young woman. Mrs. Perry, who ran the studio, was also a theater critic and wrote two syndicated columns for the newspaper. She was apparently a miserly woman. Eventually, Betty started doing piece work for Mrs. Perry and earned 50 cents per photograph. At the time, all of the fine, expensive work was sent to Blum's in New York. However, Mrs. Perry discovered that Betty, who had studied art for eight years, was able to do this work herself. Betty then took on all the fine, expensive work but still received only 50 cents per piece. Thanksgiving to Christmas was the busiest time of year. The painters would sometimes work until 4:00 am and were expected to be at work at 9:00 the next morning. Mrs. Perry had hotel rooms where her employees spent the night. Betty said they during this season they never went home until Christmas eve. It was during this season that Mrs. Perry told Betty that she had never kept an employee on piece work (which was much more lucrative) during the holiday season and that she would have to work again for the $8 per week salary. Betty told her, "You never had an artist do piece work for the holidays, but you do now!" Mrs. Perry was furious, but kept Betty on. The following summer while Betty was vacationing in Edinboro, she received a telegram from Mrs. Perry which said that Betty was fired, but that she hoped Betty would return for the holiday season. Betty returned, but only to visit her friends, not to work, which angered Mrs. Perry very much.

When she was younger, Betty smoked three packs of cigarettes a day, and used to paint with a paintbrush in her right hand and a cigarette in her left.

In old age, Betty lived in a retirement community on Long Island near her daughter, Trudy. For eight years she gave oil painting classes to the elderly residents and organized a show every spring where her pupils sold their works.

From: Trudy Fitzsimmons [1] Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 10:51 AM To: Fran Martin Subject: Aunt Betty in Hosp. doing good.

Hi Snooky, Betty's blood pressure went way up on Easter monday we had her put in hosp. She came out two days later with an arm infection from the iv and a temperature and not able to walk by herself. Trying to get her into rehab at same place she went for broken wrist but she had to go back into hosp for a three day stay or medicare would not pay for rehab. I will keep you posted. Hope all is well with your beautiful Family. Love Trudy

From: Trudy Fitzsimmons [2] Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 8:21 AM To: Fran Martin Subject: Re: Aunt Betty

Hi Fran, Aunt Betty is now in rehab at Birchwood nursing home. I find we have spoiled her so she is giving all the nurses her advise on how things should be done. She has to get enough strength back to walk or I can't take care of her at home. Last time they had her up and moving in 17 days. Keep her in your prayers. Hope all your wonderful family is good. My love to you All oops! I mean Yuns. Trudy

From: Jane Jacobson To: tfitzsi1@@optonline.net Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 4:19 PM Subject: Your Mom

I got the news of her stroke via Rita calling Tess calling me. What I know is what they told me. That she was hospitalized, home for a while and then went to a nursing home.

Is she stable? What is her prognosis? At 91 I guess it's anyone's guess. I know the reason for the nursing home was because you aren't able to handle all her needs and I'm sure they're many. From what I understand, she is not really able to do anything for herself.

How are you doing? This has been a run of bad luck and hard work for you. She has always been so fortunate to have you. I hope you're taking care of yourself.

We had planned to come visit her on our way to Pgh. that was to be June 30 - July 1 ish. Now I don't know how advisable that is. Aunt Rita says she gets upset because she couldn't remember talking to her while she was in the hospital. So I don't know if she would be better or worse off by seeing anyone.

Write when and if you get a minute.

Love Dee

From: Trudy Fitzsimmons To: Jane Jacobson Sent: Monday, May 03, 2004 8:13 PM Subject: Re: Your Mom

Mom on Easter monday got up to go to the bathroom and when she went back to bed had shaking on her left side and head pain. I called her dr and ambulance and Jen ( Dan's fiancee ) came running across the lawn and started taking her blood pressure and the rest of the ambulance crew were there in 5 minutes and they got her to the hospital in another 10 minutes. Hosp. they did chest xrays,mri,stress test. Dr said no blockage and no stroke. Changed her bloodpressure medication and told me two days later i could take her home. i did but she couldn't walk from the car to the house. Got her into bed and then wondered what the shit i was going to do now cause she couldn't tak two steps without hanging off me. I called the dr. then the nursing home and rehab center they said they had a bed and then I found out she had to be in the hospital 3 days for medicare to cover the rehab. We put her back in the hospital because thank God she had an infection in her arm from the IV. She stayed 4 days and then she was transfered to Birchwood. She is not able to eat much because she is nausious all the time from the antibiotic. I hope they will be stopping it soon. She is not doing well and the care is not what it used to be. Bob feeds her at lunch and i go at 4:30 when I get off work for dinner. Keep her in your prayers. You are welcome to come to visit on the way to Pgh.and I say plan it and worry about what if later. She would be happy to see you. She is upset to realize she is loosing her memory i think that is why she sounded upset to aunt rita, I will keep you posted. Trudy

1. ↑ Certificate of Baptism, St. Peter Church
   Vol 3, p 368.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 www.ancestry.com. Social Security Death Index.
3. ↑ Newsday. Obituary for Betty Murray Smith. (Name: August 9, 2006;).