Obituary of Betty Lou Cummings

WESTPORT, CONN Betty Lou Cummings, a resident of Westport for over 58 years, passed away suddenly from an accident on Jan. 3, 2025, at the age of 90. She was born on Aug. 7, 1934, in Tarentum, Pa. Her mother was Vera Anderson and father Edwin Lundstedt. She was one of five children: Jack, Bob, Betty Lou, Janet, and Roy. Jack and Bob have preceded her in death. On Dec. 18, 1955, she married her college sweetheart, Thomas Cummings, of Hastings, Mich. They recently celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. In the early parts of their marriage, they resided for periods from Waco, Texas, to Poughkeepsie N.Y., where she became the YMCA director. She was a graduate of Michigan State University, with both a BA and MA in physical education and dance. While studying at MSU, she distinguished herself by being one of its original six women cheerleaders. She taught at MSU and then later at Vassar College. Encouraging others to achieve higher goals through cheerful interactions was a mark of her enduring presence. This was the continuing gift she brought to everything she did and to all she called family and friend. She frequently was given awards, e.g., Connecticut State Champion for Sewing, president of Staples PTA 1981, Sportsman of Westport 1991, YMCA’s Faces of Achievement Award 1998, Rotary’s Paul Harris Award 2003. In mid-life, her interests and leadership expanded into politics. She held the office of Westport second selectman from 1993 to 1997. During her years as a community leader, she generously gave her support to a number of important projects, including as founder of the “Apple Festival,” fundraiser for CLASP and the Westport Library’s “Riverwalk” and “River of Names” projects. She was instrumental in the town’s purchase of Cockenoe Island to prevent a nuclear power plant. She helped organize the “Random Acts of Kindness Days,” and will be remembered as a joyful presence in her role as a judge for the annual Westport Memorial Day parade. Other noteworthy public service included her role as a delegate to Russia for “Bridges for Peace” and later to China. She and her husband were ardent world travelers having visited over a hundred different countries. She loved all the many adventures, cultures, the wild animals and viewed the world as a miracle. At her core was her family. Betty Lou was the mother of four sons: Mark of Modesto, Calif., married to Lisa Livingston; Mathew of Trumbull, married to Michele Grether; Todd of Fairfield, married to Kate Francek, and Edwin who died. Betty Lou also had five grandchildren: Mathew Jr., Ella, Caroline, Zoe and Toby. Each of them has become part of her enduring cheerleading efforts that she continued to work to the end. Betty Lou is also survived by her sisters, Janet Hanes of Hinsdale, Ill., and Diane Martin of La Crescenta, Calif., and her brother, Roy Lundstedt of Indio, Calif. Betty Lou has been the hub of the Cummings family and an important presence within their circle of friends. For 50 years they enjoyed many winter excursions skiing together at Okemo. The last 13 years were blessed with fun-filled gatherings at Ocean City. She coordinated celebrations of each birthday and made sure every holiday was a full experience of love, recognition and her delicious homemade cakes. She developed a deep skill as our historian and chronicler of activities with her newsletters and holiday cards. In summary, Betty Lou will be remembered as a generous, deeply caring and compassionate person of principle. She spent her life advancing the positive whenever she could with enthusiasm, hard work, her laughter and her winning smile. Along the way, Betty Lou met any challenge head-on, was resilient, constructive and always optimistic. She will forever be loved in our hearts as a true joy of life. When I think of her, it is always like the sun coming up on another beautiful day. She is my best friend and my love forever. Services will be arranged by the Harding Funeral Home. Visitation: Friday, Jan. 10, 4-8 p.m., at 210 Post Road East. Memorial service: Saturday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m., at Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East. Private burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main Street, Westport. Donations in Betty Lou’s name, in lieu of flowers, can be made to: CLASP Homes, the Westport Center for Senior Activities and Saugatuck Congregational Church.