Betty Jane came into the world June 28, 1930, the fifth of ten children born to Delia and Ralph O’Dell on the Italian Reservation in Frankfort, New York.

Only two siblings are left to mourn Betty’s passing: Nancy (Doyle) Brown and Norman (Lorrie) O’Dell. The most important treasures in Betty’s life have been her six children: Sandra (Roger) Jacobson, Gary Bono – deceased, Jack (Michelle) Bono, Debbie (Roy) Orr, Larry Shipman, Keven (Searri) Shipman; 15 grandchildren, 27 g.grands, 5 g.g.grands, and countless children of her heart. Betty lived for and loved every one of them. Gifts she gave them were uniquely hers. She taught them to celebrate life with joy: snowball fights in the kitchen, sing-a-longs at every holiday, Phase 10 card games, spaghetti and meatball gatherings, winter sledding parties, hot fried bread, cocoa, yard flowers, hummingbirds and glitter!

Hungry kids needing a meal or a friendly word were always welcome. They all called her Grandma Betty and came back for Christmas stockings and Easter baskets or to help her put a picture puzzle together. She enjoyed them all, and said that people, like snow flakes, were all different, and that we should all try to get along in peace.

A celebration of life will be held at the Buckley Eagles at 2 p.m. on Sunday the 2nd of April.