Elizabeth Yashura

Elizabeth (Betty) Yashura, 100, passed away on April 24, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich.

Born in Phoenixville, PA, she was the daughter of the late Demeter and Anna (Badaski) Savchyn.

She was the wife of the late Michael Yashura.

Her parents met in Philadelphia after immigrating from Ukraine. Her mother was from a farming area and was sent by boat during her early teen years. Her father was from the Kiev area and was also sent by boat by his grandparents to escape the beginnings of the Bolshevik revolution in the early 1900's. He also was a young teenager.

Betty was one of five daughters and grew up in a town outside of Philadelphia. She fell in love with Michael Yashura after seeing him in his formal navy uniform while attending Christmas Eve mass and later married.

Betty had 4 children and was a devoted Navy wife through Michael's long Navy career. Michael was transferred to the Newport Naval Base in 1965. As her children grew, she accepted a job at the Navy Chiefs Club as their first wedding planner. She worked with the brides (and their mothers) to guide them when planning every aspect of a wedding, not just the reception at the club. Over the years, many women whom Betty hosted their wedding would come up to her and say they had the best wedding and reception! Betty was very active with the Middletown Senior Citizens Center and served on their Board of Directors. She also volunteered for many years at the VA Bristol Veterans Home.

She was an avid craft person who loved beading, sewing, ceramics, and painting with her favorite scenes to paint were beaches and the ocean. Her memberships included CPO Wives Club and the Ladies Fleet Reserve Organization.

Betty leaves her children, Michele White (Francis X.) of Gansevoort, NY, Elizabeth Y Slocum (Scott J.) of North Kingstown, RI and Gregory D. Yashura (Laura Kane) of New Britain, CT. She also leaves six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She was the mother of the late David Michael Yashura and sister of the late Catherine Barber, Mary Geri, Rose Zabicki and Josephine Mahoney.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family on Wednesday April 30, 2025, from 11:00 to 1:00 pm in the Memorial Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 pm in the funeral Home. Burial will follow at Newport Memorial Park.

Donations in her memory may be made to

St. Elizabeth Home, 1 St. Elizabeth Way, East Greenwich, RI 02818 Middletown Senior Center, 670 Green End Ave., Middletown, RI 02842.