IN MEMORIAM: Elizabeth M. TerBush, 87;
Skiing Enthusiast Worked For Accountants
Elizabeth (Betty) TerBush, a skiing enthusiastic and office manager for many years at the former Gruber & Scott CPA firm, Oneonta, passed away on June 20, 2019 while surrounded by family at Fox Nursing Home.
Betty was born Aug. 3, 1931, in Cooperstown, to Howard and Jane Simons Michaels.
She enjoyed growing up in Cooperstown, and participated in high school activities such as Glee Club, Mixed Chorus and Band before graduating from CCS in 1949.
She then attended Cazenovia Junior College. Betty especially enjoyed times spent with classmates who remained lifelong friends.
On June 3, 1951, Betty married Sheldon (Terby) TerBush Jr. They enjoyed 60 years of faithful devotion and lovingly raised three children, Sheldon Craig, Ellen Jane, and David Charles.
As a family, they enjoyed skiing each winter at Mount Otsego (Pierstown) and at Scotch Valley for many years. There were many ski trips to Vermont, Banff (Canada), St. Anton (Austria), Colorado and Utah with family and friends. Trips to Stowe, Snowbird, and Beaver Creek were special as they included skiing with their children’s growing families.
Betty loved her church family at Laurens Presbyterian and enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in many church activities. She was also an active member of the Oneonta Garden Club and an honorary member of the Oneonta Business Women’s Club as well as the Native Daughters of Cooperstown.
Betty always enjoyed entertaining and socializing with friends and family. She loved baking cookies and delighted in packing and sharing boxes of her homemade treats at Christmas.
In 1959, Betty began her career as a secretary to Llewellen Rogers who had started a CPA firm, and continued as the office manager as it grew, retiring after 34 years from Gruver & Scott CPA’s. In 1994, she became an American Greetings Merchandizer, “Card Lady” for several Oneonta stores until she retired after 24 years, just before turning 87.
She is survived by her children: Son Craig TerBush (Connie), granddaughters Rebecca Kohn (Dan), and great-granddaughters Hannah and Olivia, and Renae Scott (Ryan), great-grandsons Alexander and Lincoln; daughter Ellen Schmitt (Peter), granddaughters Kristen Lindner (Ned), Nicole Schmitt-Burdick (Michael), and Jennifer Leksander, and great granddaughter Gretchen Leksander; and son David TerBush (Sue), grandson Tage and granddaughter Teegan. Also, brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Barbara Michaels and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Betty was predeceased by her husband Terby in 2012.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Laurens Presbyterian Church, 3 Main St. Laurens NY 13796, or Catskill Area Hospice, 297 River Street Access Road, Oneonta NY 13820.
Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, in the Laurens Presbyterian Church.
To send online condolences visit www.ottmanfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley.