A graduate of Andover High School, she was employed by Alfred State as a custodian for 28 years. Betty was an animal lover, raising rabbits, chickens, quail, chinchilla, cats, dogs, pigeons, and enjoyed birdwatching. She was an avid gardener, spending so much time in her garden after retirement that she often wondered how she had time to work. She loved giving people tours of her garden. An amazing cook and baker, she was especially known for her homemade apple pies. She enjoyed crafting, antiquing, and collectibles, including antique tins, figurines, pencil sharpeners, and Norman Rockwell.
Thoughtful and kind, Betty loved her family and friends and will be dearly missed. Surviving are: loving companion and caregiver, Stephen Perkins; three children, Darla Williams and T. Laureen Perkins, both of Wellsville, and Carleen Whitesell of Bath; seven grandchildren, Kristen Mills, Brian Perkins, Lauren Skrzynski, Kelly Williams, Christopher Blair, Michael Buckley, and Nicholas Buckley; three great-grandchildren, Seth Buckley, Zander Buckley, and Avery Skrzynski; three brothers, Richard “Dick” Whitesell of Wellsville, G. Ronald (Linda) Whitesell of Independence, and David Whitesell of Almond; nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Milford C. “Skip” Whitesell and Donnie Joseph Whitesell.
Memorials may be made to the SPCA serving Allegany County, P.O. Box 381, Wellsville, NY 14895. Arrangements are under the direction of OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville, NY. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
