Elizabeth (Betty) Brown passed away Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the age of 95. At the time of her death she was residing in the Chenango Memorial Hospital, Residential Health Care Facility Nursing Home in Norwich, N.Y.
Betty was born November 16, 1921 in Patchogue, N.Y. to Robert Raymond Ryder and Bessie (Foster) Ryder. The doctor who delivered the twins surprised their mother by saying, “I think there is another here.” Five minutes later Betty was born. Her mother said her name would be Elizabeth, but she would be called Betty. She attended and graduated from High School in 1939 in Patchogue, NY. After graduating, she enrolled in The Crane School of Music which is one of three schools which make up Potsdam State University in Potsdam, NY. She graduated as a voice major with a viola minor, and a B.S.in Education in 1944. She was also an accomplished violist and played in the Long Island Symphony, the Bremerton Symphony, WA and many string quartets. She enjoyed singing with the church choir and particularly enjoyed giving piano, violin and viola lessons from her home.
While attending school in Potsdam, Betty met Frank Henry Brown who was a student at Clarkson University. She and her sister Marie attended college together, and a favorite memory of Betty’s was of Frank following Marie home only to realize it was Betty’s twin sister. “Oh! It’s Marie!”, he exclaimed. Frank and Betty were married on October 21, 1943 in Fulton, NY. In the midst of WWII. Once she and Frank returned to Long Island after the war, they moved to Norwich, NY in 1949. She and Frank would eventually begin Automecha Ltd. in Oxford, NY. And Betty taught music in South New Berlin for many years. She continued to live in Norwich until Frank’s death, November 17, 1993 in Norwich, NY. She then moved to Oxford and lived there many years. She taught music at Sag Harbor, NY; Bremerton, WA and Norwich, NY.
In retirement, Betty and Frank enjoyed traveling to Florida for the winter and living at their RV Park in Melbourne, Florida. She became the “First Mate” on their sailboat, often sailing to the Florida Keys on the Inter-coastal Waterway. They were members of the Avion Club and traveled with friends through-out the U.S. and especially loved Alaska. In the summer she enjoyed living at their cottage at Guilford Lake NY.
Betty is survived by her three “wonderful” ( her words ) children, Frank Jr. ( Elaine) Seattle WA; Suzanne Watson ( Charles “Cal”), Hamilton, NY and Thomas Brown ( Claire Cruz), Sherburne, NY.; Grandchildren, Peter St.John ( Lisa ) Michael St.John, Jacqueline Brown M.D., Spencer Brown, and Olivia Brown. Great-Grandchildren Henry, Elizabeth, and Charles.
Betty was pre-deceased by her twin sister, Marie Boutcher.
Memorial services for Betty will be held at the UCC First Congregational Church, 11 W. Main St. Norwich on Saturday November 11, 2017. Calling hours will be from 12pm – 2pm with the service at 2pm. Interment will follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Betty can be made to: Chenango Memorial RHCF Activities Fund, 179 N. Broad St., Norwich, NY. 13815.
Arrangements are with the R.J.Fahy Funeral Home.