Elizabeth B. "Betty" Christofaro

Elizabeth Baker Christofaro, Betty, of Charlestown, Rhode Island, and formerly of Narragansett, peacefully left this earth on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, lovingly surrounded by her family.

Betty was a strong, hard-working, resolute, and tenacious woman who was dedicated to her family, especially her three children. She was born on March 16, 1942, and was raised by her mother, Margaret C. Baker, and her Aunt and Uncle, Mamie and Earl Tefft, after the death of her father, Merritt Baker, when she was an infant.

Being outdoors, tending to flower and vegetable gardens, provided simple pleasure for Betty. Some may even remember her from the University of Rhode Island mowing any number of lawns on a riding tractor. To Betty, her job was indeed the best job ever!

She also loved to experiment in the kitchen creating many forms of “goulash.” You see, Betty never followed a recipe. Some of her creations were great hits and others, well, not so much! Rumor has it, however, that she made the best pancakes in Rhode Island that were fluffy and yet still slightly gooey on the inside.

The Christofaro house always had an “open door” to welcome family, neighbors, and friends any time of day or night. You would always find Betty standing by the kitchen sink like a flamingo with one of her long, slender legs bent at an angle and her foot resting on the inside of the other leg. She made it look so effortless and graceful.

Betty also loved a variety of music. Just a few of her favorites included Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree by The Andrew Sisters, Welcome to the Jungle by Guns and Roses, and Celebration by Kool and the Gang. Her taste crossed many genres.

To Betty, however, her children were the most important part of her life. She loved her daughter Jennie, her son Joseph, and especially her son John Christofaro, who came to this earth with a special set of physical and developmental challenges in 1962. Nothing deterred Betty from caring for John throughout his life through advocacy and an inordinate amount of compassion and parental love.

Betty was predeceased by her husband Thomas “Tucker” Christofaro, her son John Niles Christofaro, her parents Merritt and Margaret Baker, her Aunt and Uncle, Mamie and Earl Tefft, and her inlaws, Mary and Dominic Christofaro. She is survived by her son Joseph Christofaro and his wife Noreen, her beloved granddaughter, Kaitlyn Christofaro, and her amazing daughter Jennie Christofaro and her husband David Cheek, who provided a home for Betty and John and have lovingly devoted themselves to their care for the past eight years. Betty also enjoyed having a large family of sisters and brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.

It was a good and well-lived life, Betty! Our hearts are broken but we take comfort in the fact that you are reunited with your beloved son John and that we will see you again.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on  Friday, September 13, 2024 at 10:00 am in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 114 High St., Wakefield. Burial will be private. Visiting hours Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Special Olympics Rhode Island, 370 George Washington Hwy, Smithfield, RI 02917 or  Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.