Obituary of Betty Marie Shoemaker

Betty Marie Shoemaker, 88, of Upper Deerfield Township passed away on Monday, February 20, 2017 at the Maurice House in Millville. The wife of the late Jay Peter Shoemaker and daughter of the late James Annis and Minerva Bridges Annis, she was born in Jackson Heights, NY. She had been a Bridgeton area resident since 1949 except for a 20 year period that she lived in Florida. Before her retirement in 1985 Betty had been employed as a high school teacher in Vero Beach, FL and had also worked as a substitute teacher at Bridgeton High School. She was extremely active in many areas including community service such as PTA, serving as a Docent at the Wheaton Glass Museum, serving as Den Leader for Cub Pack Troop 31, Camp Grice and a National Camp Director. Betty was also well known for her experience with the Pekingese dog breed. She was the founder of the Pekingese Club of Southern, NJ, member of the national board of the Pekingese Club of America, life member of the Invicta Pekingese Club of England and known worldwide for campaigning to championship the miniature Pekingese. She was the first to make the Sleeve Peke a champion in the United States. Her kennel was named CUMLAUDE PEKINGESE and she had a dog show class named in her honor. Betty also judged dogs in the eastern United States, England and Australia. In later years she also rescued blue greyhounds from dog racetracks. An avid and experienced traveler, she also enjoyed keeping birds including rare finches, parrots and macaw. Playing golf, championship bridge and swedish weaving, quilting and knitting were special to her also. Surviving are her son, J. Peter Shoemaker, Jr. of Haddonfield; two daughters, Marjorie Lynn Shoemaker of Pennsauken and Constance Louise Cossaboom of Upper Deerfield Twp.; a sister, Marjorie Annis Deacon of Levonia, MI and her five grandchildren, Kathryn Elizabeth Shoemaker, Valerie Anne Beach, J. Peter Shoemaker, IV, Betsy A. Cossaboom and Andrew J. Cossaboom and three great-grandchildren. Private graveside funeral services will be held at Camden Cemetery in Camden, Maine at the convenience of the immediate family. Arrangements are under the direction of the PADGETT FUNERAL HOME, Upper Deerfield Township. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions in Betty’s memory be made to Paws of the Spirit, 6937 Cedar Ave., Pennsauken, NJ 08019.