Betty Lou Redkoles

She was a reflection of the farm she lived on: Betty Lou was easy going, steadfast and reliable. Her blue eyes and constant smile could light up any room. Betty Lou was born into the hustle and bustle of city life but was able to make the transition to country living. She worked hard on the farm for many years bunching asparagus and packing tomatoes. In her spare time she enjoyed gardening and especially tending to her big red geraniums. Her birthday marked the arrival of tomatoes.

Betty Lou loved and collected Longaberger baskets and pottery and made four trips to the Longaberger factory in Ohio over the years. She could shop till she dropped or at least till there wasn’t any room left in her car. She’d smuggle her purchases into the house after Babe went to sleep. Betty Lou had a place for everything and everything in it’s place; her home was immaculate. She ’d find a little time to relax down in Avalon and Stone Harbor, mostly at the Windrift. Betty Lou’s best times were always with family; she’d drive separately from Babe so she could stay later with her grandkids and she was always up for a sleepover, especially on New Year’s Eve. Her daughter was more of a friend, though she would have to sometimes correct her with an “Oh Margie!” every now and then.

A friend of Betty Lou’s offered her a trade: if Betty Lou took her to the shore for the week she’d reciprocate and take Betty Lou to her family’s farm in South Jersey. Though Betty Lou felt she was getting the short end of the stick, she’d never regret her decision. It’s there that she would meet the love of her life, the late Paul “Babe” Redkoles. She went from being an only child to being a part of the Redkoles family. Babe was one of eight. Their 57 year marriage was blessed by two children, Margie and the late Paul R. She is also survived by her sweet doggie, Bella; loving and cherished granddaughter, Amber Redkoles Almeida and her husband, Brian; loving and cherished grandson, Paul Redkoles and his wife, Shana; loving and adored great-grandchildren, Scarlett Winter Redkoles and Madden Paul Redkoles; loving and faithful sisters-in-law, Anne Paranzino and Mary Redkoles; loving and faithful brother-in-law, Andy Redkoles; adoring nieces and nephews, Linda Baldo, Tom and Kathy Paranzino, John and Alfinia Redkoles, Michael Redkoles, Steven Redkoles, Arleen Zalewski and Eugene and Angela Zalewski; dear and loyal friends, Sandy Finocchiaro, Grace LaPalomento and Carol Leonetti. She was pre-deceased by her parents Margaret Ellen and Ellsworth Hackard.

Come celebrate 85 great years Thursday 9-11 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro where there will be an 11 a.m. service. Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro. Donations to Union United Methodist Church, 2180 Centre Square Road, Logan Township, NJ 08085 will be appreciated. Tell a great story about Betty Lou at lifecelebrationstudio.com.