IN MEMORIAM
Betty Rowe Henderson Dies
11 Days After Husband Hugh
ONEONTA – Betty Rowe Henderson, of Southside Oneonta, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, following a long illness. Her death came only 11 days after that of her husband, Hugh I. Henderson Sr.
She was born Betty Mae Rowe on Aug. 7, 1933 in Oneonta, the daughter of Hattie Mae (Wheeler) Rowe and Arthur Kendall Rowe, and lived nearly her entire life in Oneonta. She graduated from Oneonta High School in 1950.
Betty was baptized and married to Hugh at the First Presbyterian Church in Oneonta on Nov. 2, 1958. They celebrated 58 years of marriage last November.
Over the years of raising their four children, Betty was an active parent as “room mom,” Brownie Troop leader, and PTA leader at Riverside Elementary. After shepherding her own children through Oneonta Schools, Betty served on the Oneonta District School Board for 12 years and was known for her focus on student needs and success. In her first years of service, Betty took great joy in presenting a diploma to her youngest daughter Sue.
Betty loved her family, especially her children and grand babies. She also enjoyed cooking for large family parties, sewing, and working in her flower gardens. Later in life, she enjoyed traveling with Hugh and their lifelong friends.
She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and is especially remembered for serving as Chair of the Flower Committee, as Elder, and for cooking countless fellowship meals.
After living for nearly 50 years with Hugh on the family farm on Route 23, Betty designed and oversaw the construction of their retirement home on Franklin Mountain with a panoramic view of the city and plenty of room for visits from their extended family.
Betty is survived by her four children, 11 grandchildren, eight nephews and nieces, two aunts, a sister-in-law, and several cousins: her oldest son, Hugh Jr., wife, Susan (Lynch) and grandchildren, Julie, Emma and Matt; her second son, David, wife, Susan (Salisbury) and grandchildren, Steven, Elizabeth and Margaret; her oldest daughter, Jane, husband, John Clark and grandchildren, Alex and Guthrie; her second daughter, Susan, husband, Todd Reed and grandchildren, Liam, Aidan and Maeve; nephews, Jim Henderson and Jeff, Scott, Greg and Chris Rowe; nieces, Debbie Raymond, Robin Thomas, and Beverly Mileski; aunts Gladys Govern and Evelyn Rowe Jacobs, sister-in-law Pat Rowe, and several cousins.
The memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 20th, at the First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main St., Oneonta, with the Rev. Mark E. Montfort, pastor, officiating. No calling hours are planned.
Betty’s ashes will be placed with her husband Hugh at Glenwood Cemetery in a private ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main St., Oneonta or email: fpco@verizon.net
Online condolences may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com
Arrangements are by Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.
