Betty Jane Irwin, age 92, surrounded by her loving family, passed peacefully at her home of 63 years in Sherburne Four Corners on Nov 25th, 2019. Betty was born in Waverly, NY on Feb 22, 1927 to Melvin and Elizabeth (Goldby) Mathers, their first born of 8 children.
They moved to Norwich with Betty when she was 3yrs old where she attended Norwich Schools.
On March 17th, 1946 she married William J. Irwin in Norwich and began a loving union that lasted until William passed in 2018 on their 72nd anniversary.
Betty was employed early on as an operator at the C&U Telephone Company. She worked at F.W. Woolworths in Norwich and Tom’s Dairy Bar in Sherburne for 13yrs. She also managed the Chenango County Office Building cafeteria for 5yrs. She was cook and chef most of her life and gained much notoriety and local fame for her kitchen skills. She was still cooking Sunday dinner for her family at age 92.
Betty was an avid reader and loved to play Bingo, enjoying it her entire life earning the nickname “Bingo Betty”. Her other loves included trips with her daughters and daughters-in-laws every fall to the Adirondacks to view the fall foliage and another annual trip on Mother’s Day to Turning Stone Casino both events sporting their signature hats!
Memorable to Betty were her times to California with her daughters primarily to see her favorite show “The Price is Right” with Bob Barker.
Family was her most precious treasure and she was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and aunt.
Betty was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband Bill and one angel daughter Carol Ann Irwin Cook. She was also pre-deceased by a brother William Mathers and 3 sisters Shirley Jennings, Lillian Edick and Linda Sutton. She is survived by brother Fred Mathers of N Norwich and sisters June Berry and Judy Montgomery both of Norwich NY.
Betty is also survived by, and lives on thru her 7 children; Bill (Kathy) Irwin of Sherburne, Gloria (Lisle) Britton of Sherburne, Marilyn Blanchard (Regan Smith) of Smyrna, Nancy (Rick) Smith of Oxford, Jerry (Brenda) Irwin of N. Norwich, Sherri (Scott) Rosa of Sherburne and Alan (Wendy) Irwin of Sherburne. 21 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements made through Burgess and Tedesco Funeral Home. A celebration of her life open house was held Dec 1 @ the American Legion Sherburne. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at West Hill Cemetery Sherburne.
At Betty’s request donations in her name can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, Hospice of Chenango County and West Hill Cemetery Sherburne.