Elizabeth A. Shay passed away at Vassar Brothers Medical Center on September 29, 2024. She was 86 years old. Betty, along with her twin sister Agnes, was born on October 16, 1937 in New York, NY to the late George and Agnes (Cassidy) Merz. She lived in the Bronx and Yonkers before moving to Dutchess County in the early 1970's.

In December of 1975, Betty married her beloved husband Kenneth R. Shay at St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Fishkill, NY. Ken predeceased her in 2010.

Betty graduated from Dutchess Community College with a degree in Accounting, and had worked as an Accountant in various locations in NYC, as well as at Vassar Hospital in Poughkeepsie.

She loved reading and playing the piano, and was a friend to all animals. She was an excellent seamstress and an accomplished crocheter and knitter. Betty will be remembered as always being kind and generous with her family and friends.

She is survived by her twin sister, Agnes Taylor; her brothers, William and Robert Merz; her niece, Patty Economos (Peter); her nephew, Michael Taylor (Christy); her great-nephews, Jake and Joey Taylor; as well as other nieces and nephews who live out of state.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 11:30 am at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82 Hopewell Junction, NY.

Please consider a donation in Betty's name to the Dutchess County SPCA www.dcspca.org or to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Please visit her Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.