Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 25/Sep/2019 174.22.228.4
Mrs. Bette Esther Platt Jefferson, age 76, of Phoenix passed away
peacefully on Sunday, September 22, 2019. The daughter of the late Chester and
Alice Salzberg Platt, was born September 4, 1943 in Cornwall, NY. She attended
public schools in Newburgh, NY graduating from Newburgh Free Academy in 1961.
She married Ben Jefferson and for more than 30 years the two of them had a
partnership in marriage and in business. They formed and ran their own
businesses. Bette was a trailblazer for women owned business in the Phoenix area
with the ownership of Creative Office Systems. Bette was a leader in the Phoenix
and Tempe business community where she was a founding member of the Phoenix
chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Eventually she and
Ben retired to start over as advocates for veterans, working with veteran
non-profit services. To this end she developed her skills in grant writing for
non-profits and spent several years with United Blood Services. Bette’s passion
was helping Veterans through her work with the Veteran’s Medical Leadership
Council. She volunteered her services to many non-profits in Phoenix including
Valley of the Sun United Way, Pappas School for Homeless Students and Soldiers
Best Friend. Bette was first and foremost a dedicated mother and grandmother.
She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with
them. She especially loved her role as a Grandmother. Bette had a big heart,
giving personality, fierce competitive spirit, beautiful smile and was full of
passion. Bette is survived by her son Jim Jefferson (Laurie Taylor), daughter
Vicki Starkovich (Todd Starkovich, granddaughter Jesica, grandson Shane),
brothers Michael Platt (Peggy), David Platt (Wendy) and many cousins. A
Graveside Service will take place on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 at 1:00pm
at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ
85024 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society
for the Road to Recovery program or Military Assistance Mission in Phoenix.
Mrs. Bette Esther Platt Jefferson, age 76, of Phoenix passed away
peacefully on Sunday, September 22, 2019. The daughter of the late Chester and
Alice Salzberg Platt, was born September 4, 1943 in Cornwall, NY. She attended
public schools in Newburgh, NY graduating from Newburgh Free Academy in 1961.
She married Ben Jefferson and for more than 30 years the two of them had a
partnership in marriage and in business. They formed and ran their own
businesses. Bette was a trailblazer for women owned business in the Phoenix area
with the ownership of Creative Office Systems. Bette was a leader in the Phoenix
and Tempe business community where she was a founding member of the Phoenix
chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. Eventually she and
Ben retired to start over as advocates for veterans, working with veteran
non-profit services. To this end she developed her skills in grant writing for
non-profits and spent several years with United Blood Services. Bette’s passion
was helping Veterans through her work with the Veteran’s Medical Leadership
Council. She volunteered her services to many non-profits in Phoenix including
Valley of the Sun United Way, Pappas School for Homeless Students and Soldiers
Best Friend. Bette was first and foremost a dedicated mother and grandmother.
She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with
them. She especially loved her role as a Grandmother. Bette had a big heart,
giving personality, fierce competitive spirit, beautiful smile and was full of
passion. Bette is survived by her son Jim Jefferson (Laurie Taylor), daughter
Vicki Starkovich (Todd Starkovich, granddaughter Jesica, grandson Shane),
brothers Michael Platt (Peggy), David Platt (Wendy) and many cousins. A
Graveside Service will take place on Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 at 1:00pm
at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ
85024 In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society
for the Road to Recovery program or Military Assistance Mission in Phoenix.