Elizabeth “Betty” Baker died Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Delhi, following a brief illness. Betty was daughter of the late Evadine Todd Garrison and Harold Garrison on Aug. 26, 1935. A brother Gary predeceased her in 1959; her sister Natalie resides in Canandaigua.
Betty attended Margaretville Central School graduating with the class of 1952.
Betty married Larry Baker Sr. on Oct. 8, 1955 and together they had five children; Larry Jr., Laurie, Lucinda, Lanore and Lyle.
She was predeceased by Larry Sr., son Larry Jr. and daughter Lucinda.
Betty is survived by her children Laurie (Tom ) Rankin of Bloomville, Lanore (Patrick Governal) of Manorville, Lyle (Valerie) Baker of Fleischmanns and Sharon Baker of Martinsburg, West Virginia. Betty is survived by nine grandchildren: Jenny Baker and Robert Fury of Martinsburg, West Virginia, LB and Tiffiny Baker of Martinsburg, West Virginia, Mike and Sharon Pietrantoni of Bloomville, Rob and Christie Pietrantoni of Bloomville, Nichole and Luke Ford of Phoenix, Rachael Kelder of Barre, Vermont, Billy Miller and Shaina Aubry of Oneonta, Emily Baker of Fleischmanns, and Eric Baker of Fleischmanns. Betty had 11 great-grandchildren: Payton and Damon Pietrantoni of Bloomville, Landon Pietrantoni of Bloomville, Aubree, Colten, and Bexlee Baker of Martinsburgh, West Virginia, Nathan and Deegan Fury of Martinsburg, West Virginia, Greyson and Booker Ford of Phoenix, and Liam Miller of Oneonta.
Betty was a loving wife, supporting Larry’s work while working herself as a telephone operator and tax collector. Betty was a lifelong resident of the Dry Brook Valley where she nurtured her family, her gardens and her community. Betty enjoyed tending her flower gardens, vegetable gardens, and was an excellent seamstress and quilter, nurturing thousands of scraps of fabric with her thread, needle and creativity. She was an active member of the Dry Brook Community Hall, where she was actively involved in the many events that were held throughout the years. Dedicated to preserving the history of the valley, Betty was a detail oriented researcher and historian. Betty was always quick to offer assistance to someone in need in the community.
But she received the greatest joy from her family, always finding time for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was often found out in the woods with the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids teaching them to appreciate and love the natural world. Don’t be in her way when she was off to a school function be it a concert or a ballgame. She rarely missed any that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were involved in. She showed them all how to shoot a woodchuck, catch a salamander, how to bake a pie, to grow a garden, to catch a frog, how to dress for Eastern Star meetings, how to maintain a sense of humor during the darkest of times, how to be patient, honest, kind, and fair.
On Sunday, June 30 following a private interment at the family cemetery, a celebration of Betty’s life will be held at her beloved Dry Brook Community Hall from 1 to 4 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dry Brook Community Association, 171 Haynes Hollow Road, Arkville, NY 12406
Arrangements are under the direction of the E. B. Gormley Funeral Home, 87 Main Street, Phoenicia.
You may share a special memory, photo, or condolence on Betty’s Tribute Wall at www.gormleyfuneralhome.com
