Elizabeth (Alai) Jamison Giardino, of Edison, passed away Friday, May 31, 2019 at St. Peter's University Hospital in New Brunswick. She was 83. Born in Scranton, PA, she lived in Highland Park before moving to Edison over 30 years ago. She recently moved back to Highland Park.
She was a secretary for the Middlesex County Engineering Department for 20 years, before retiring 3 years ago. Previously she had worked for Revlon in Edison.
She was known as Betty Jamison in the Demolition Derby sport, competing from 1967 – 1972. She was the first female 2x World Champion.
"Betty Boop", as she was fondly called by her friends, was a member of the Italian American Club Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary, both in Edison. She was an avid fisherman and loved horseback riding.
She's predeceased by her husband Leon Giardino (d. 2006), her sons James and Gregory; and by her parents Alexander and Mary Alai.
Surviving is her daughter Cindy Jamison; her granddaughter Brianna Wahler; her brothers Edward Alai, and his wife Holly, of North Brunswick, and John Alai and his wife Bridie, of California; and her sisters Rosemarie Dill, and her husband Bob of Piscataway, and Susan Alai, and her husband Gerald Howarth of Spotswood ; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends and relatives may call on Thursday, June 6th, from 5:00 – 8:00 pm, at The Crabiel Home for Funerals, 170 N Main St. – at Riva Avenue, Milltown. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Highland Park PBA Local 64. You may sign the online condolence guestbook at www.crabiel.com .