Obituary of Betty S. Sammons

Betty S. Sammons, 88, of Gloversville, passed away peacefully at Mountain Valley Hospice Wednesday, March 31, 2010 with her family at her side. She was born January 20, 1922 in Gloversville, the daughter of the late Alex and Margaret Frasier Suits. She graduated form Gloversville High School in 1939 and attended the Brodean Business School, finishing in 1940. Betty was employed as a bank officer and auditor for the former Fulton County National Bank and Trust Co. for twenty five years. On September 2, 1965, she married Howard R. Sammons, who survives. They shared over forty- four years of loving companionship and adventures together. Betty was a lifelong member of the North Main Street United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women where she held many offices, including serving the state board as its secretary. She was a former member of the YWCA serving on the Board as a Trustee. Betty also volunteered for the American Red Cross as a nurses' aide during WWII at Nathan Littauer Hospital and also in recent years on the local bloodmobile. She also volunteered at Nathan Littauer Hospital for over forty years, serving as its treasurer for many of those years, also as chairman and knitter of the baby hat and blanket program, where she knit over one thousand baby hats. Betty was an active and adventurous woman who had many passions: cross country skiing at the time share in Stowe, VT, tennis, golf, badminton and dancing. She was an avid swimmer and swam in East Caroga Lake at her camp before work everyday, she learned how to water ski when she was in her fifties and she was game for just about anything. Betty and Howard went on several cruises together, and always had a wonderful time. She liked board games, card games, sewing and cooking. Betty will be sadly missed. In addition to her beloved husband, Howard, Betty is survived by a son, Robert Sammons Debra of Burnt Hills; two step sons: David H. Sammons Linda of Mayfield and Richard T. Sammons Delia Peng of CA; a daughter, Mary Anne Valentine Edward of Troy; eight grandchildren: James Sammons Kristie, Lauren Valentine, Zachary Valentine, Ryan Valentine, Matthew Sammons, Stephen Sammons, Jeffrey Sammons and Elizabeth Sammons; one great grandchild, Leah Sammons; a sister-in-law, Evelyn Suits of AZ; nieces, nephews and cousins. Betty was predeceased by a brother, Richard Suits and cousins Marjorie Tascillo and Donald Moore. Family and friends are invited and may call Friday, April 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, where a funeral service will be held Saturday, April 3 at 2 p.m. with Pastor Chris Hamm presiding. Interment will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery old section, west side Kingsboro Ave in Gloversville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty's name to the North Main Street United Methodist Church, 316 North Main Street, Gloversville, NY 12078 or to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.