Obituary for Elizabeth Jane "Betty Jane" Chura (DePalma)
COLONIE Elizabeth Jane Chura, (Betty Jane), 74, passed away on December 13th at Eddy Village Green in Cohoes from COVID-19 after a 5+ year-long battle with frontotemporal dementia. Born in St. Mary’s Hospital, Troy, NY, on September 20, 1946, she was the daughter of Armando (Dip) DePalma and Jane (Murphy) DePalma. Betty Jane, along with her beloved sister, Maria DePalma, grew up in Waterford, NY surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She was the adored wife of Walt Chura for 54 years. They lived in Chicago and Washington D.C. and eventually returned to the Albany area and raised their three children, Kimberly Finn, Jeremy, and David. A woman of unending empathy, she and Walt chose to start their family in 1973 by adopting Kimmy, who was born with Down Syndrome. That selfless act of pure love epitomized Betty Jane's values and was the foundation for the family she and Walt built together.
Betty Jane was a life-long student. She held a B.A. from SUNY, Albany in English, an M.S. in Special Education from the College of St. Rose, an RN from Maria College, and a teaching Certification from the Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C.
Her very quiet, private and humble nature was balanced with a fierce advocacy for society’s most vulnerable. Betty Jane served as a Special Education teacher and the principal of a Montessori School. Her greatest impact came as Director of the Quality Assurance and Investigations Bureau of the NYS Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled and as a member of the team working with the Special Advisor to the Governor for Vulnerable Persons. Her work, in partnership with cherished colleagues and friends, led to new legislation that protects people with developmental disabilities and prosecutes those who exploit them.
Her influence went beyond New York as a member of many consulting teams across several states to improve conditions for individuals with disabilities. She was a nationally recognized expert witness, trainer, consultant, and court monitor.
Betty Jane served on the Board of Albany Catholic Charities Housing Office and on the Board of the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed. She volunteered at a Head Start program, as a faith counselor at a local jail, and on a local AIDS Care Team.
As busy as she was, Betty Jane loved being at home with a never ending cup of tea and a book, or pouring her love into meals for her family. She brought an eye for detail and understated elegance that perfectly complimented her favorite Italian comfort foods.
Betty Jane was predeceased by her parents and her daughter, Kimmy.
She is survived by her husband, Walt Chura (Niskayuna, NY); her sister, Maria DePalma (Waterford, NY); her two sons, Jeremy (Reena) (Pasadena, CA), and David (Kristy) (Monrovia, CA); and several nieces and nephews.
Private service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a modest donation in Betty Jane’s name to the Center for Disability Services at cfdsny.org. Her name can be added in the comment box.
She was the adored wife of Walt Chura for 54 years. They lived in Chicago and Washington D.C. and eventually returned to the Albany area and raised their three children, Kimberly Finn, Jeremy, and David. A woman of unending empathy, she and Walt chose to start their family in 1973 by adopting Kimmy, who was born with Down Syndrome. That selfless act of pure love epitomized Betty Jane's values and was the foundation for the family she and Walt built together.
Betty Jane was a life-long student. She held a B.A. from SUNY, Albany in English, an M.S. in Special Education from the College of St. Rose, an RN from Maria College, and a teaching Certification from the Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C.
Her very quiet, private and humble nature was balanced with a fierce advocacy for society’s most vulnerable. Betty Jane served as a Special Education teacher and the principal of a Montessori School. Her greatest impact came as Director of the Quality Assurance and Investigations Bureau of the NYS Commission on Quality of Care for the Mentally Disabled and as a member of the team working with the Special Advisor to the Governor for Vulnerable Persons. Her work, in partnership with cherished colleagues and friends, led to new legislation that protects people with developmental disabilities and prosecutes those who exploit them.
Her influence went beyond New York as a member of many consulting teams across several states to improve conditions for individuals with disabilities. She was a nationally recognized expert witness, trainer, consultant, and court monitor.
Betty Jane served on the Board of Albany Catholic Charities Housing Office and on the Board of the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed. She volunteered at a Head Start program, as a faith counselor at a local jail, and on a local AIDS Care Team.
As busy as she was, Betty Jane loved being at home with a never ending cup of tea and a book, or pouring her love into meals for her family. She brought an eye for detail and understated elegance that perfectly complimented her favorite Italian comfort foods.
Betty Jane was predeceased by her parents and her daughter, Kimmy.
She is survived by her husband, Walt Chura (Niskayuna, NY); her sister, Maria DePalma (Waterford, NY); her two sons, Jeremy (Reena) (Pasadena, CA), and David (Kristy) (Monrovia, CA); and several nieces and nephews.
Private service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a modest donation in Betty Jane’s name to the Center for Disability Services at cfdsny.org. Her name can be added in the comment box.