NORWICH – Betty Conroy, 85, formerly of West Main Street, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Born in Norwich on Dec. 2, 1922, Betty was the daughter of Herman J. and Louise E. (Hall) Sommers. After attending St. Paul’s School, her family returned to the Rochester area after the untimely death of her father. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1940 and received an academic scholarship to the Rochester Business Institute. Betty worked for several companies as a bookkeeper and stenographer before joining the Department of the Navy in Rochester as a cost accountant and office manager.
On Oct. 28, 1944, in Rochester, Betty married Francis D. Conroy, Jr. Following her marriage, she devoted her life to raising her children and to helping with bookkeeping at her husband’s business, F.D. Conroy Drugs, which was located at the corner of South Broad and East Main Street. Francis died on Feb. 10, 1980.
Betty was an active member of St. Paul’s Church. She was president of the Mothers Club, taught religious education to both children and adults, and was a member of the choir. She completed Formation for Ministry of the Syracuse Diocese, was a parish minister, and a founder of the Peace of Christ prayer group. She was also a member of the Ladies of Charity and the Auxiliary of Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Betty is survived by her eight children and their spouses, Catherine and David Paul of Woodstock, GA, Anne and Robert Sharkey of Apple Valley, MN, Thomas and Kathleen Conroy of Charlotte, NC, Eileen Dowling of North Myrtle Beach SC, Mary and Lynn Madsen, of Cashmere, WA, Daniel Conroy of Suwanee, GA, Alice and Edmond Beaudreau of North Adams, MA and James Conroy of Binghamton; 23 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two sisters, Joan McTigue of Port Charlotte, FL and Alice and Joseph Black of Canandaigua, NY. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Betty was predeceased by a sister, Rita Wegman and a brother, Louis Sommers.
A memorial Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 9 at St. Paul’s Church. Friends are invited to call at the church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of St. Paul’s Church.
The arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the funeral home website at: wilsonfh.com.