Elizabeth L. “Bette” Welch, age 61, of North Hanover passed away Friday, March 13 at the Samaritan Inpatient Hospice Center in Mt. Holly. Born in Jersey City and raised in Sayreville, she was a resident of North Hanover for the past 17 years and was formerly of Westampton. Bette retired from the New Jersey State Police with the rank of Captain in 2005 after 25 years of service. She most recently was the Bureau Chief with the NJSP Bureau of Identification in West Trenton. She received her Master’s degree in Educational Supervision from Seton Hall University. Bette was a parishioner at the Church of the Assumption. She enjoyed reading and crafts, especially stained glass and pottery. She loved the beach and (recently) golfing, and she took great joy in planning parties and special events for friends, family, and colleagues. She was an active member of the executive board of the Former New Jersey Trooper’s Association. Bette was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Katherine Sacher. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Matthew M. Welch (NJSP Retired); four brothers, Richard Sacher and partner Kevin Joyce of New Orleans, LA; Bobby Sacher of East Brunswick, NJ; Tom Sacher and wife Candy of Longwood, FL; and Jerry Sacher and wife Maureen of Hazlet, NJ. Bette is also survived by her four nieces and a nephew, Jennifer Sacher and husband David Marshall of Lansdowne, PA; Andrew Sacher and fiancée Kim Helmick of Barnwell, SC; Shannon Sacher and fiancé Justin Muenker of Longwood, FL; Meagan Sacher of New York City and Caitlin Sacher of San Francisco, CA, as well as her devoted goddaughter, Ann Nioche of New York City, and beloved aunt, Sister Bette Cawley, IHM, and beloved dogs, Yuki and Jake. A Mass of Christian Burial for Bette will be held on Tuesday, March 17 at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Assumption, 28 Monmouth Road (Route 537), Wrightstown, NJ 08562. Visitations will be on Monday, March 16 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM and again on Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bette’s memory may be made to the Burlington County Animal Shelter, 15 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ 08060. Arrangements are under the direction of the Tilghman Funeral Home in New Egypt (www.tilghmanfh.com).