Betty DeRosa, a longtime music teacher and organist who was featured at top hotels and restaurants, died Sept. 26 in Honolulu. She was 94.

DeRosa was born in Raymond, Kan., and gave her first piano lesson when she was 8 years old. She continued performing and teaching after her family moved to Portland, Ore., and when she moved to Hawai'i in 1950.

DeRosa taught hundreds of students at Thayer Piano Co. from 1951 to 1978 and then at Sanders Piano and Organ. She was so dedicated to her craft that she continued teaching until about 10 days before she died, said Bill Sanders, company president and longtime friend.

"She was very well-liked by the students. She was a very outgoing, sweet and warm person," Sanders said. "Nobody knew she was ill until two weeks ago because she was still teaching."

Although she taught piano, DeRosa's favorite instrument was the Hammond organ, Sanders said. For 13 years, she was the featured musician at the old Pearl City Tavern and was a member of Hugh Finley's Strolling Violins that played at the Halekulani Hotel in the 1970s.

DeRosa's music also could be heard at the former Cannon Club and Civic Auditorium, on cruise ships, restaurants and the Kahala Hilton. She also was an organist for the Hawai'i Islanders baseball team.

DeRosa was a member of the American Theatre Organ Society and the Musicians' Association of Hawai'i, Local 677 AFM.

She also was an avid bridge player.

DeRosa is survived by three children, Robert, Sharon and Linda; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday. The family requests that those planning to attend call 955-1342 or e-mail lcolburn@hawaii .rr.com.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society-Hawai'i Chapter.

Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.