IN MEMORIAM: Elizabeth S. Swatling, 97;
Husband Operated Fuel-Oil Businesses
FLY CREEK – Elizabeth S. Swatling of Red Onion Farm in Fly Creek died early Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. She was 97.
Bette was born on Oct. 18, 1918, in Albany to Satie and Joseph M. Schroeder. She married Roy K. Swatling on March 7, 1942, and lived in Herkimer before moving to Fly Creek in 1960. Roy, who operated Jensen-Baldwin Oil in Cherry Valley and Cooperstown, and similar businesses in the Mohawk Valley, died on July 30, 2000.
Bette had a long and wonderful life. Her father died when she was an infant and was raised by her mother and uncle, Michael Fitzgerald. She spent summers with the Meeneghan family in East Springfield and later worked for her uncle’s dental practice and thoroughbred farm in Albany.
In Cooperstown, Bette was a member of many organizations, in particular the Northern Otsego Chapter of the American Red Cross. She was a lifelong parishioner at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church in Cooperstown.
Bette is survived by her daughter, Susan Swatling of Hamilton, Mass.; her sons Michael and Peter Swatling of Fly Creek; daughter Barbara Griswold and husband Hector of Hopewell, N.J.; and son Thomas Swatling and wife Kristi of Fly Creek. Her grandchildren include Joshua Onyan; Amanda, Michael, and Kayla Swatling; Rachael Sarafin and husband Martin; Samantha Bouck and husband James; Jennifer Meyers and husband Steven; Matthew Griswold and wife Anna; and Katherine Griswold. Bette is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren.
The Swatling family wishes to acknowledge with enduring gratitude the loving care bestowed by Bette’s homecare providers – Bobbi Constantine, Joan Gregory, Gina Gast, and Rose Bellen.
A celebration of Bette’s life will be Saturday, May 14, at St. Mary’s, with Father John Rosson, pastor, officiating. The family wishes to extend an invitation to attend the service to all who knew Bette.
Gifts of remembrance can be made in Bette’s name to the Cooperstown Food Pantry located at 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY.
Arrangements Tillapaugh Funeral Service, Cooperstown.