Today’s alumni journey back in time takes us to the graduating class of 1926 and Miss Elizabeth “Betty” Hoek. Betty was born November 1, 1909, the daughter of Jennie (Veryzer) Hoek and Leonard Hoek.
Her parents, Jennie and Leonard were both born in the Netherlands. Leonard (whose real first name was Leendert) I was born in 1875 and died in 1951. Joanna was born in 1887 and died in 1983.
Not being a polished writer or having ever met Betty, I will attempt to sketch a profile of this lady. Significant facts or events are likely missing but hopefully, others can add relevant information.
Betty was born at home on Division Ave. in West Sayville as were many babies of that era. Their house was near the old Tyler Avenue school.
Why was she born at home? By the time Southside hospital opened its doors with a 50-bed facility on April 9, 1923, Betty was already in 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.
Oliver Conkle (SHS class of 1953) States that Betty was a very active member of the New York State Order of the Eastern Star Suffolk District, Metlakhatla Chapter #439. Sayville. As example, it was reported in the Suffolk County News, that Betty was in attendance for a luncheon meeting in May 1952.
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’s brother, Marinus Hoek went by the nickname “Ren”. He was born 1914 at home in West Sayville and graduated from Sayville High School in 1932. Ren was an outstanding athlete at Sayville high, where he participated in football, baseball, and track.
At graduation, Ren was offered a football scholarship to Notre Dame and North Carolina State College. He chose North Carolina. Marinus Hoek went on to become the high school principal of the Clinton, North Carolina high school and was also director of the recreation there. There is much more to the story of Marinus Hoek, but that shall be 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.
Betty passed away January 3rd, 1985 at age 75. She had no children. Per the Union Cemetery records, Betty is buried in her parents Hoek family cemetery plot. I have yet to visit that exact plot but will on my next journey to Sayville.
I encourage any anyone who can add even a tidbit of information to this biographical sketch of our 1926 graduate, Elizabeth Hoek or her family, to please do!
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
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