Neighbor News
Montclair Resident Honored for Giving the Gift of Life
Betsy Niles of Montclair Honored at Donate Life Rose Parade in Pasadena
The family of Betsy Niles, a Montclair mother who died after being struck by a van in March 2011, honored her at the Donate Life Rose Parade Float on New Year’s Day. A “floragraph” of Betsy, whose kidney saved the life of Valentine Samuels, 53, of Newark, was created with seeds, flowers and other natural materials and displayed on the 2016 float. Betsy was among 60 organ and tissue donors honored with “floragraphs.” Twenty-four organ recipients rode on the float and 12 living donors will walk alongside the float.
“We were so honored to learn that Betsy was chosen for this honor,” said her companion of 10 years, Dan Sarnowski, who always refers to Betsy as “the love of my life.”
Dan Sarnowski and Ali Niles pose at the rose dedication ceremony for Betsy Niles.
