Died December 21, 2020 at the age of 94. She was predeceased by her sister, Jean Wittman.
Sorely missed by her children, Barb (Dan) Rossiter, Mary (Pete) Mahler, James Biddle and Dan (Cher Nisbet) Biddle. Also grandchildren: Dan Dangler, Dan, AJ, John and Tom Rossiter, Casey Blackburn, Kelly and Kevin Mahler, and Jessica and Brittany Biddle. She had many great grandchildren, and four very special nieces in Buffalo, Joan Clemente, Ellen Giblin, Carrie Dellamore, and Janet Carrow.
Betty was born in 1926 in Rochester to James Garfield Verrinder and Carrie Niles. Carrie died when Betty was three and Jean was five years old. The girls were cared for by relatives, then lived in an orphanage until years later, when her father remarried. Despite her rocky childhood, Betty succeeded as a mother and as a nurse.
A lifelong caregiver, Betty received her nursing training at St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing. She worked at several hospitals throughout her career, and most recently, at Rochester Psychiatric Center (where she was charge nurse on a medical ward) and Lakeshore Nursing Home, before retiring.
Betty enjoyed taking her children on adventures, whether a day trip or camping. She accepted the neighborhood kids as her own and they were usually included in the fun. There were always dogs and cats in the family.
She loved children, her critters, and her cabin in the woods, in Springwater, NY. Betty will be remembered for her independence, strength, youthfulness and enough funny stories to last a lifetime.
At Betty’s request there will be no formal service.
The family would like to invite family and friends to an outdoor celebration of life this summer to remember her and share stories (details pending).
Donations in her memory can be made to Lollipop Farm.