Honoring our heroes... Bethanne Henning-Welton

Story as told by Beth's husband, John

My wife Bethanne Henning-Welton, CRNI had a life-long career (almost 31 years) in Oncology Nursing. She loved and served in the community as a nurse and caregiver. Beth was a special person to many, and will be remembered for her beautiful smile and contagious laugh. In times of anxiousness and despair she was a ray of hope, helping hand, and a spirit of joy that would be there at the right time in the right place.

As a teenager, Beth’s dear Aunt Sara Chiaramonte had ovarian cancer. She would walk from Buffalo’s Academy of the Sacred Heart, where she attended high school, to help with her aunt as her Uncle Joe was working. It was then she decided that she not only wanted to be a nurse, but to work more specifically in Oncology. Beth followed in her mother’s footsteps and attended Millard Fillmore School of Nursing.

In Buffalo, Beth worked at Roswell and then joined the VNA where she earned her CRNI certification to become an IV Specialist. She worked for Option Care of Buffalo (at Roswell), McCaully Seton CHS (at Roswell), and prior to her passing landed her dream job as a case manager at Roswell. She loved Roswell because it was a place of hope and healing. She met people from all walks of life. People asked Beth, “How can you do it?” Her reply was “How couldn’t I do it?”

Our family has countless cards and stories of how Beth changed others’ lives. She taught them not to fear cancer and to not stop living.

One of the sayings she shared with her patients is etched in a steppingstone at Kevin Guest House Healing Garden - “Life Isn’t About Waiting for the Storm to Pass, It About Learning to Dance in the Rain.”

She had a special place for Kevin Guest House in her heart, as her patients were blessed with a beautiful place to stay adjacent to the hospital. It is a lovely place for those who just need a relaxing place to rest when they are in town for treatment at Roswell.

Beth gave of herself before and after work, and her work was never done.

Her community involvement through coaching and being a board member will impact the community for decades. Beth coached soccer for 19 years. Her love for the game and vision to help make soccer a formidable women’s sport gave her energy and dedication to focus on the girls. She first coached both of her daughters Emilee and Olivia and later would become a board member of The Hamburg Monarchs Soccer Club. She spent her time over the last several years developing young players focusing on developing skills and building the love for the game. She touched hundreds lives of young girls and their families. Upon her passing a fund was set up in honor of Beth for soccer scholarship that all kids could afford to play and to help build a walking path at the Nike Base Sports Park.

Beth knew about death and she clearly stated her opinions and wishes that when she no longer needs her earthly body that she wanted it to go help others live a better life. Her body was donated to ConnectLife.

After Beth’s passing, her gifts continued to give through eye and tissue donation. She was a Christian woman, with a big heart that will continue to give long past her time on earth. Her family continues to be proud of her and honor her impact here each day.

---

Has this post inspired you to share your hero's story? Submit your story to featured as ConnectLife's next donor highlighted as Hero of the Month at https://www.connectlife.org/honor-your-hero