Bette Schnitzer, the mother of Spritz Co-Founder and President Beth Schnitzer, died on May 11. Many of us here in the San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ community know Beth, who is a charismatic ally and supporter of numerous organizations. With her passionate, caring approach and vibrant personal style, Beth lights up every room and is a trailblazer in the field of marketing. It was therefore no surprise for us to learn that her mother shared some of these same qualities. A teacher at Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, for over 50 years, Bette was so popular that she was known—a/la James Bond’s “Q” or “M”—by just a single initial: “S.”
As the school shared about Bette Schnitzer: “Her legendary persona developed much as her name and her hairstyles evolved over time. She arrived at Union Catholic as Mrs. Elizabeth Schnitzer, but became better known as Mrs. Bette Schnitzer. A decade or so later, she was lovingly referred to by the students as ‘Mrs. S.’ By the time she retired in June of 1998, she had achieved rock-star status and was identified by just a single letter—’S.'”
Bette, who was raised in Plainfield, New Jersey, was also proud of being 100% Ukrainian. She was born to the late Steven and Katharine Yurkow Dubey, who emigrated from Western Ukraine in the 1920s.
At Plainfield High School, Bette participated in student council, cheerleading, softball, and basketball. She graduated in 1947.
She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene, (now Montclair State University). She was involved in diverse activities—Class Secretary, Cheerleader, Dance Club, Tennis Club, Hockey Club, and Basketball Club (no competitive women’s teams at that time). She graduated in 1951.
She was married to Raymond L. Schnitzer (Class of 1950 Panzer College) and together raised Beth and her four siblings. Bette never missed an event that her children took part in, and saved every letter, report card, photo, and gift from her kids, grandkids and friends.
She was a pioneer for working moms in the 1960s while championing girls’ sports programs. Her career was dedicated to teaching, coaching, and mentoring youth and young women to better themselves. Starting in 1962 and retiring decades later, she was a Physical Education and Health Teacher and Coach. She led intramural sports, and was the coach for the girls Track and Gymnastics Teams, Cheerleading, and Pep Squad. In summers she was the Director of Recreation. She directed county and state swim meets and chaperoned the NJ AAU girls state basketball team to games throughout the nation. She also launched the County Scholar Athlete awards program for student athletes.
She had the Distinct Honor of being inducted into the New Jersey Interscholastic Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988. In 1994 she was also awarded the Union Catholic Hall of Fame Honor for outstanding work in athletics as a coach and for her significant impact on her students.
She continued to mentor and coach sports after retirement and was always present cheering on her grandchildren. She recently received a “Best Fan Award” in recognition of her loyalty to community sports and attendance at young women’s basketball games. While attending the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games, she received a private invitation to meet the gold medal USA Women’s Gymnastics Team.
She was an avid reader and gardener. Bette was a “foodie” and enjoyed trying new restaurants. She loved her colored lipsticks and ever-changing hairstyles—wearing her pink lipstick and looking beautiful even in her last days. Above all, she truly loved her family and cherished every moment that they spent together. She was a selfless individual, and her unrelenting positive influence impacted the lives of countless students, faculty, families, and people of all backgrounds within her diverse community.
She is survived by her loving children; Steven, Christine, Raymond and Beth Schnitzer, and Jaimie Westley and her husband Darren. She also leaves behind her treasured grandchildren Justin and Lexi Westley. She is predeceased by her husband and her sisters, Catherine Shoppe and Elaine Fickett.
With a nod to her family’s support of the LGBTQ community and their great love of life, we share these lyrics from “Ode to a Gym Teacher” by singer/songwriter Meg Christian:
She was a big tough woman. The first to come along
That showed me being female meant you still could be strong.
And though graduation meant that we had to part,
She’ll always be a player on the ballfield of my heart.
A scholarship has been established to carry on her memory and legacy: https://tinyurl.com/3pzuze7n
Published on June 9, 2022
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