Bette St. John

Bette Noel St. John (Tolli), 79, passed away on February 29, 2020.  She is survived by her husband, Donald St. John, with whom she was married for 51 years.  They had two children, Christopher Michael St. John and Jennifer Noel Norton who is married to Gregory Norton. Bette was a loving, devoted mother and a beloved grandmother to her grandchildren, Davis William and Trevor Ross Norton.  She was very close to her sister, Joan Signore and was a loving aunt to Amy Sattel and Seth Signore.  Bette’s family was very important to her and being active in their lives was always her priority.   She was predeceased by her parents Betty Doud Tolli and Charles George Tolli, who affectionately called her “little Bette” growing up.

Bette grew up in Stamford, CT, raised her family in Redding, CT and eventually retired to Pinehurst, NC with her husband. She attended Wesley Junior College in DE and completed her undergraduate degree at West Virginia Wesleyan. She obtained her Master’s in Early Education from the University of Bridgeport in CT.

Bette was an early education teacher and children’s librarian, fondly known as Ms. Bette.  Helping children learn and grow always brought her great pleasure, exemplified by her several years of volunteer work spent in the childcare facility at her local hospital.

Bette’s memory and endearing spirit will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating a children’s book to your local library in her name – Bette Tolli St. John – so she will forevermore put a smile on a young child’s face!

A private service will be held for family only and a celebration of her life will follow at a later date.