Betty T. Brown

Betty T. Brown, of Ithaca, passed away at Lakeside Nursing Home on Thursday, March 19, 2009. The family extends their gratitude to Cayuga Medical Center, Hospicare of Tompkins County, and a special acknowledgement to the staff of Lakeside Nursing Home for making Betty comfortable.

Born in Reynoldsville on March 8, 1920, Betty was the daughter of Percy E. and Marie A. (Grover) Tyler. She grew up in Mecklenburg, graduated from Trumansburg High School, and upon completion of Beauty School opened Betty's Beauty Shop in Trumansburg - later moving the beauty shop to her home in Mecklenburg. It was while Betty's children were in school that she pursued an interest in art. Working with watercolors, acrylics, ink, oils and charcoal in a variety of media and subjects, Betty willingly shared her passion of art with others through art shows and teaching art classes at Oak Hill Manor, Lakeside Nursing Home and senior citizen organizations. The many keepsakes that she has created will be forever treasured by family and friends.

Betty was a longtime member of the Mecklenburg United Methodist Church where she participated in the Bell Choir. She was also an active member of the Danby Federated Church for many years. Betty was proud of her membership and position as past Noble Grand of the Hawthorn Rebekah Lodge # 163.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband Fred M. Brown on November 12, 1995. She is survived by one son Larry (Janet) Brown of Phoenix, AZ; one daughter Linda Lee Smith of Trumansburg; six grandchildren Gary Brown, Marc (Tina) Brown, Jerry (Lauri) Smith, Cheri (Rob) Miller, Amy (Mike) Woodin and Annette Delp; 16 great-grandchildren Ryan, Tyler, Craig, Paxtyn, Ashley, Alex, Mackenzie, Dannielle, Ryan, Jeremy, Nicole, Max, Emily, Alanie, Alicia and Lisa Lee; one great- great-granddaughter Jennylee; one sister Frances Andrew of Trumansburg, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will be present to receive friends on Sunday, March 22, 2009 from 1-2 pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. Services, at the funeral home, will begin at 2:00 pm on Sunday with the Rev. Dr. John Kotun officiating. Prayers of Committal will follow at Jones Cemetery in Trumansburg. Family and friends are invited to the Falls Restaurant following the service.

The family asks those considering a contribution in Betty's memory to kindly consider the Danby Federated Church, 1859 Danby Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.