Betty J. Boggs

Betty J. Boggs, age 95, of Trumansburg, NY passed away at home on February 6, 2022.

She was born on August 10, 1926 in Fort Lewis, Washington the daughter of the late Russell Cleveland and Opal Irene (Atteberry) Aldridge.

As a young girl Betty grew up in the Pacific Northwest, her father was in the Army Corps of Engineers so they moved often. Those moves and exposure to the war effort provided Betty, ever the feminist with opportunities to expand beyond the traditional roles of women.  She had an opportunity to later become a ‘Rosie the Riveter’ working on wings for the C-47 aircraft. She attended Loyola and Seattle Universities trading time working and studying as she and Josh supported each other through school.

She became an artist earning an MFA.  Her legacy lives on in her public sculpture, ‘The Status of Women’ on the Frank J. Ludovico sculpture trail in Seneca Falls. Betty created the trail’s first sculpture; On two large tablets a carved chain links six symbols, representing the right to vote, the right to hold property, the first Women’s Rights Convention, the right to higher education, equal pay for equal work and fair and equitable divorce laws.

Betty is survived by her children Josiah Boggs IV (Shannon), Rebecca Boggs and Michael Boggs (Wendy Fuller); and six grandchildren, Josiah Boggs and Duncan Fuller. In addition to her parents, Betty was predeceased by her husband, Josiah C. Boggs III in 2008. They were married for 61 years.

Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out and proclaiming , “Wow, What A Ride”  And that she did….

As she told nearly everyone she encountered – “Find something to laugh at”

Per Betty’s wishes there will be no services.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those that would like to make a contribution in Betty’s memory to kindly consider Ulysses Philomathic Library, 74 E. Main Street, Trumansburg, NY 14886.