Obituary of Betty Thurman

Betty Thurman, born Elizabeth J. Seminara in Brooklyn, New York, departed this world on August 10, 2025. For eighty-one years she enriched the lives of everyone she knew with her caring heart, empathy, and sense of humor.  

She was the daughter of Michael and Bella Seminara, beloved wife of James Thurman, treasured mother of Jeanine and Yvonne, cherished grandmother of Megan, Lindsay and Alexandra, and adored mom-in-law of Richard and Onat. She was a dear sister of Letty and husband Vinnie, caring aunt of Audra and Vincent, and life-long friend of so many special people. Betty and Jim raised their family in Brooklyn and then in Staten Island. With the softest of hearts, she was the Rock of her family. 

Betty and Jim loved to dance, traveled with the best of friends and saw parts of the world she never imagined she would. A razor-sharp bookkeeper, no one could calculate on the back of an envelope like Betty. She will always be revered for her gift of working out figures and most of all – for her cooking and baking. Holidays were always special. She made everything with love and shared it generously. The best birthday cakes, strufoli, coconut-cream pies, and seven-layers came from Betty’s kitchen.

Most of all, she just loved being with her family and she always let them know that, every day.

To celebrate this beautiful life, family and friends may visit Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Boulevard, on Thursday, 8/14, from 4:00-8:00pm. Funeral service at Matthew Funeral Home, on Friday, 8/15, at 10:00am. Burial to be followed at Resurrection Cemetery, 361 Sharrott Ave.