Obituary of Bernadette L. "Betty" Balzer

Bernadette L. “Betty” Balzer, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at her home in Hightstown, NJ, surrounded by her loving family. She was 86 years old.

Born on October 25, 1938, in New York, NY, Betty spent her early years in the vibrant city before moving to Robbinsville. Following her marriage, she settled in Hightstown, where she would spend over 60 cherished years. Betty dedicated much of her career to RCA and later retired from Cenlar Mortgage Company, where her commitment and diligence shone through in her work within the mortgage and lending department.

Betty’s warm heart and nurturing spirit were most evident in her roles as a mother and grandmother. She found immense joy in hosting family gatherings, whether for special occasions or simple Sunday dinners, where laughter and love filled her home. Her culinary skills brought comfort and happiness to those she fed, and her fondness for the Jersey Shore created lasting memories of summers spent in Manasquan with family.

Above all, Betty was most proud of her family. Known affectionately as “Nanny Betty,” she reveled in the joy of her five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Their laughter and love brought her immeasurable happiness, and her legacy will continue through them.

Betty is predeceased by her parents, Phillip and Mildred (Leone) Jaccoma; her sister, Marie Hulick; and her brother, Philip Jaccoma. She is survived by her daughters, Elly Glackin and Pamela Lanzetta and her husband, Michael, all of Hightstown, NJ; her son, Anthony and his wife, Janet, of Columbus, NJ; and her other son, Eddie Mathews and his wife, Elaine, of Elizabeth, NJ. She will be deeply missed by her sisters, Loretta Jaccoma and her partner, Bob Bognar, of Hamilton, and Joann and Bill Horne of The Villages, FL; as well as her five grandchildren, Michael Roszel and his wife, Karolina, of Tampa, FL, Samantha Barclay and her husband, Steve, of Hamilton, Corey Glackin of Philadelphia, PA, Joey Lynn Vascuso and her husband, Chris, of Mt. Ephram, NJ, and Mario Lanzetta and his wife, Amanda, of Hamilton; her six great-grandchildren, Natalia, Maja, Liam, Max, Luciano, and Isaiah; her dear friend, Barbara Soucey of The Villages, FL; along with numerous loving family members and friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services, 136 Morrison Avenue, Hightstown, NJ 08520.  Funeral services will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Deacon Tom Garvey officiating. 

Following cremation, interment will take place privately in Holy Cross Burial Park in South Brunswick, NJ.                

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Betty’s memory to Fox Chase Cancer Center by visiting https://www.foxchase.org/giving.