Obituary of Bette Jean Tefft

Bette Jean “BJ” (Montemurro) Tefft, 72, of Nassau passed away on August 8, 2023, at Albany Medical Center Hospital.  Born in Yonkers, NY on Feb. 3, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Rocco and Margaret (Cutbill) Montemurro.  BJ was a graduate of Gorton High School in Yonkers, NY and went on to attend SUNY Plattsburgh where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree and met her husband of 49 years, Patrick Tefft.  BJ and Pat embarked on a cross country trip early on in their lives together and were able to experience all that the country had to offer.  BJ was very involved in her community as a Librarian for the Nassau Free Library, member of the Friends of the Nassau Free Library, Girl Scout leader, PTA member, and former Co-President of the Nassau Nursery Association. 

She had many interests including listening to music, attending concerts, reading, and spending time with her various pets over the years.  She enjoyed being a mother and spending time with her nephew, nieces, grandnephew, and grandnieces.

BJ is survived by her loving husband Patrick Tefft of Nassau, NY; son, Noah Tefft of Portland, OR; daughter, Lucy Tefft of Selkirk, NY; sister, Susan Mascia of Carmel, NY; mother-in-law, Peggy S. Tefft of Nassau, NY; nephew, Robert (Erin) Williams of Danbury, CT; niece, Tracy (Chris) Kennedy of Lake Carmel, NY; grandnephew Tyler and grandnieces Stephanie, Caroline, Jadyn and Lianna.  She is also survived by her beloved cat, Little Kitty 2^nd.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with BJ's family on Thursday, September 21, from 1:00-2:30 p.m., at the Thomas P. Mooney Funeral Home, 11 Elm St. Nassau, NY 12123. A celebration of life will commence at the conclusion of the visitation period, at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Bette Jean may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern, NY at 1003 New Loudon Rd. Suite 201 Cohoes, NY 12047 or to the Friends of the Nassau Free Library at P.O. Box 436, Nassau, NY 12123.