A Journey to 1926: The Story of Betty Hoek and Her Immigrant Roots
Close your eyes and step back with us to 1926. The world was a different place, and our halls were walked by a young woman named Elizabeth “Betty” Hoek.
Born in the autumn of 1909, Betty’s life was shaped by the courage of her parents, Leonard and Jennie Hoek. They arrived from the Netherlands, carrying with them their dreams and the names of their homeland.
Leonard, christened Leendert, was of the 1875 generation, a man who would see two world wars and the dawn of a new technological age before his passing in 1951. His wife, Joanna (who went by Jennie), was born in 1887. Her life spanned an even more remarkable arc, from the horse-and-buggy days to the dawn of the computer era, living to the venerable age of 96.
When Betty walked across the stage to receive her diploma, she wasn’t just a student of the 1920s; she was the embodiment of her parents’ American dream—the first-generation graduate.
Attempting to profile someone you’ve never met is a tall order, but I’ve done my best to sketch a portrait of Betty Hoek from the archives. What follows may be an incomplete picture, and I welcome any and all additions from those who might know more. The goal is to honor her memory, and together, we can make that portrait more complete.
Betty entered the world in the heart of West Sayville, born at home on Division Avenue—a common beginning for children of her generation. Their family house was nestled near the old Tyler Avenue school, placing education at the center of her life from the very start.
It might seem surprising to us today, but her birth at home was simply the norm. The reason? A local hospital was still years away. By the time the brand-new Southside Hospital opened its doors with a 50-bed facility on April 9, 1923, Betty was already a young woman walking the halls of Sayville High School.
Betty was a studious girl who did quite well in school, as noted in regents examination results
In 1920, she was a volunteer participant in the annual benefit tag sale for the Sayville Library.
In 1921 we find Betty’s name listed in an athletic article; “Girls win statewide contest”.
In 1926 Betty graduated from Sayville High School, which at that time was the “Old 88” building. Construction of the new, fireproof High School at 30 Greene Avenue (acquired in December 1920), was begun October 1926. The school was built at a cost of $338,000. With much fanfare, it was dedicated on January 21, 1928.
In 1929 Betty Hoek married Ernest Lehman (1908-1963). They lived in the upper portion of Division Ave. and later, on Rollstone Ave.
Betty worked in a local food shop but left in 1927 to attend a “beauty parlor” course at the LeMur school in New York City. Miss Anna Bakelaar took over Betty’s job in the local food shop.
Betty loved to play bridge and hosted many bridge parties in her home, as noted in the archives of The Suffolk County news. As an example, it was reported on October 17th, 1930 that Mrs. Ernest Lehman – hostess at Bridge.
The article stated; “Mrs. Ernest Lehman entertain the bridge at her home on Monday evening when her guests enjoyed a delightful evening, at the close of which delicious Refreshments were served by the hostess. The following enjoyed the party. Mrs. Nelson Van Wyen, Mrs. Willliam Klinger Jr., Mrs. Nicholas Griek, Mrs. Alfred Van Emmerik, Mrs. Edward Ockers, Mrs. Robert McIntosh of Islip and the misses Dorothy Kahn, Faye Griek, Marie Van Essendelft, Anna Griek, and Joanna Beebe.”
Not being a bridge player myself, I had to wonder what the intrigue was. Bill Gates states; “It’s a game you can play at any age. If you take it up young, you have fun doing it the rest of your life. A lot of games don’t have that depth. This one does.” Hall of Fame tennis star, Martina Navratilova states; “Bridge is more than just a card game. It’s a cerebral sport. Bridge teaches you logic, reasoning, quick thinking, patience, concentration, and partnership skills.” Ok, now I understand!
In 1939, Betty succeeded Miss Elizabeth Pagels as a clerk in the West Sayville post office, which was likely a perfect fit for the industrious, diligent Betty Lehman.
Consider this; “Because they must memorize many postal regulations, operational rules, and distribution schemes, people in these positions must have a good memory. They must also be able to read rapidly and accurately, as well as possess good hand-eye coordination. Physical stamina is required for both window and distribution clerks and for service agents.
Window clerks must stand for many hours at a time, while distribution clerks and service agents must do a great deal of reaching, lifting, walking, bending, and handling packages and heavy sacks of mail. Postal clerks need to have an even temperament and a pleasant disposition.
They frequently work under pressure to meet time and schedule deadlines, and their work is often performed with others in close physical spaces. Window clerks must have a neat appearance and a pleasant, congenial manner and must be able to deal with all types of people because they are in constant contact with the public.” Source: career.iresearchnet.com
Betty’s cousin, Janet M. Hoek graduated Sayville High in 1956. She grew up on Rollstone Ave and now lives on Colony Drive in West Sayville. She is the daughter of Adrian and Ruth (Vanderbilt Borough) Hoek.
Janet recently told me she had a very pleasant childhood recollections of Betty. Janet states Betty loved to bake and often baked wonderful cookies which she shared with the children of the Rollstone Avenue neighborhood.
On occasion, Betty would announce to the neighborhood children that she would be making cream puffs the next day. Janet remembers fondly, going to Betty’s house and being served the most delicious cream puffs imaginable, which had a little bit of chocolate added to the top.
Janet Hoek also recalls Betty had a very special fondness in her heart for the animals of the neighborhood.
It was not uncommon to find your own dog spending time over at Betty’s house, where offerings of treats were enthusiastically enjoyed by many a pet. Janet’s dog Tippy was one such pet who made his way the Betty’s for special treats.
Valerie (Thuma) Field grew up on the northeast corner of Brook St. and Division Avenue. Valerie’s parents were Stanley Thuma and Thelma (Hoek) Thuma. Thelma graduated in the Sayville High School class of 1944 and Stanley in class of 1940.
When Valerie was a little girl, she would bring vegetables to Betty and Ernie. The vegetables were from shared by her grandparent’s, Mathew and Mary (Maat) Hoek who has a large garden at their house at 80 Rollstone Ave.
Valerie has found memories of Betty and Ernie. She has kept a precious little gift over the years. Prior to Valerie’s wedding, Betty gave her wedding cake Bride and Groom figurines.
Many years prior, these same figurines adorned Betty and Ernie’s wedding cake. Valerie describes both Betty and Ernie as “awesome” people. She sometimes thought of Betty as a second Mom.
In Betty’s final years, she resided in a Good Samaritan Nursing Home on Elm St. in Sayville. Valerie always looked forward to and enjoyed her frequent visits with Betty.
Betty participated in many meetings and was likely a member of the women’s auxiliary of the Suffolk County Medical Society. In April of 1953, we find her attending the society meeting at Robbins Hall in Central Islip.
Betty’s dedication to community clearly extended far beyond her school years. According to Oliver Conkle (SHS Class of 1953), she was a very active member of the New York State Order of the Eastern Star, Metlakhatla Chapter #439 right here in Sayville. Her involvement is a matter of public record; a May 1952 edition of the Suffolk County News, for instance, notes her attendance at a chapter luncheon meeting. This paints a picture of a woman who remained deeply engaged and connected in the local organizations that formed the social fabric of Sayville.
Carolyn (Van Wyen) Verspoor, Class of 1957 reminisced:
“Having been born (Yes, I was born at home as were my brother and sister – 95 Rollstone Ave., West Sayville) and having lived there until I married in 1959 before moving to Sayville, I have fond memories of Mrs. Betty Lehman.
Betty was always so kind and a very pretty woman.
In 1972, my husband Lou and I bought the house directly across the street from Mrs. Lehman. Our son, KeithVerspoor, mowed her lawn.
I noticed that my mother, Mrs. Nelson Van Wyen, attended the bridge party Mrs. Lehman hosted!
I believe the house she lived in was moved there from Chicken St., Oakdale. (now called Dale Drive).
Betty wasn’t the only standout in the Hoek family. Her younger brother, Marinus Hoek—affectionately known as “Ren”—was also born at the family home in West Sayville in 1914 and carried on the family tradition by graduating from Sayville High School in 1932.
While a student, Ren made a name for himself as an outstanding three-sport athlete, shining on the football field, the baseball diamond, and the track. His talent was so remarkable that upon graduation, he was faced with an incredible choice: a football scholarship to the prestigious University of Notre Dame or to North Carolina State College.
He chose the path leading to North Carolina, and it was a decision that shaped his life. Marinus Hoek went on to have a distinguished career in education, eventually becoming the principal of Clinton High School in North Carolina, where he also served as the director of recreation for the area. His story is a fascinating chapter of Sayville success in its own right, and one we look forward to exploring more fully on another day.
Betty’s husband Ernest Lehman died in 1963. There was no obituary in the Suffolk County News. It’s been reported that he repaired appliances. Adelaide Popely of West Sayville states that during WWII when gas was rationed, Ernest helped carpool many folks to work.
Ernest had three brothers; Carl, Paul, and William. He had a sister, Mrs. Elsie Margaret DeLavergne 1903-1993 who was married to William Alexander DeLavergne, Sr., a claims’ adjuster for the Long Island Railroad.
William died in 1944 and is buried in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Sayville. Elsie and William had a son William Jr, who graduated from Sayville High in 1940.
Elsie later remarried a man last name of Blind. She died in Fullerton, Ca in 1993. Ernest’s mother Martha came to the United States from Germany about 1896. Martha was born about 1878. Martha and her husband Carl (Ernest’s father) and family came to Sayville about 1919 and lived at 237 Main Street. Martha died in 1937 and Carl in 1950.
I visited Betty’s grave in 2025. It struck me that Betty, who was born on Division Avenue and lived her entire life within the familiar bounds of Sayville, never truly left her hometown. Her final resting place in the Hoek family plot is a powerful testament to a life rooted in one community—a life of deep, local connections that spanned from cradle to grave.
A person’s story is woven from many threads. We’ve gathered a few here, but many are still missing.
This biographical sketch is a starting point, but Betty’s story is far from complete. If you have any memories, photographs, or even a small tidbit of information about Elizabeth “Betty” Hoek or her family, please share it with us. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of our 1926 graduate is preserved in full color.
Would you like to contribute a story to “Endless Waves… Remembrances of Sayville Alumni”?
Please do so! It would be so very much appreciated.
Help us all to remember!
I can be reached at halgbrown@sayvillealumni.org
Elizabeth “Betty” (Hoek) Lehman
Sayville High School, 1926.
Elizabeth (Hoek) Lehman's home on Rollstone Ave
Betty's (now Valerie's) Bride and Groom figurines
Elizabeth Hoek, SHS Graduation 1926
Elizabeth Hoek, SHS Graduation 1926
