Montclair Woman, Organ Donor Remembered

Montclair, NJ - Betsy Niles was a children’s book editor, a lifelong resident of Montclair and a mother.

But most importantly - for Valentine Samuels – she was an organ donor.

The family of Niles, a Montclair mother who died after being struck by a van in March 2011, will honor her legacy with a “floragraph” on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float in Pasadena, California, on New Year’s Day.

• See related article: Memorial Service Scheduled for Betsy Niles, Book Editor, Struck By Van on Wednesday

It’s more than four years since Niles’ kidney saved the life of Valentine Samuels, 53, of Newark.

Samuels, who received his kidney on April 1, 2011 at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, said he met Niles’ family in late November.

“I wanted them to know how grateful I am for the kidney and how it has changed my life,” said Samuels, a retired carpet layer. “They have given me new life.”

Niles will be among 60 organ and tissue donors honored with floragraphs this New Year’s Day, according to her family.

“We were so honored to learn that Betsy was chosen for this honor,” said Dan Sarnowski, her companion of 10 years.

Sarnowski said he became involved with the NJ Sharing Network - a non-profit organ procurement organization - after March 31, 2011, the day Niles died on her way to the Montclair train station.

“I converted overnight into becoming passionate about organ and tissue donation,” he said. “I had no idea before Betsy’s accident that this is the charity I would be called to work upon in my retirement.”

“To me, it means so much that Betsy will not be forgotten,” Sarnowski said. “She is being remembered and thought of and thanked. And we’re pleased that we can raise even more awareness about organ and tissue donation by participating in the Donate Life float.”

Sarnowski - the Celebration of Life committee chair - will be joined at the Rose Parade by Alexandra Niles, Betsy’s daughter and one of the team captains for the NJ Sharing Network Annual 5K Celebration of Life.

Other Rose Parade attendees will include Niles’ son, Peter Niles, his wife, Lauren, Niles’ two grandchildren, Jacob and Sadie, Sarnowski’s daughter, Meg Latham, and his granddaughter, Kayla Latham.

To learn more about organ and tissue donation or to get involved with NJ Sharing Network call 1-800-742-7365 or visit www.NJSharingNetwork.org to register as an organ and tissue donor.

Photo courtesy of Jaffe Communications Inc.

Send Montclair news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com