Betty Mary Barris

Betty Mary Barris, 88, of Newfield, went Home to the Lord on Saturday, August 12, 2023, while at home surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Ithaca on March 8, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Florence M. Wilson.  Betty was employed as an LPN in the Endoscopy Unit at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca for 37 years prior to retirement, a career she truly loved.

The most important thing in Betty’s life was her family.  She enjoyed spending time with them and was always the person who brought the entire family together.  She was often up for an adventure with her daughter, June, and could rarely be found at home.  She raised her granddaughter, Julie, as one of her own children.  When she did have free time, Betty was a gamer with a large collection of “match 3” and “hidden object” games on her computer.  She was artistic and enjoyed coloring, loved owls, and was an avid collector of Betty Boop memorabilia.  Many lovingly referred to her as “Betty Boop” or “Boopster.”  She also loved birds and leaves behind her 30 year old cockatiel, Baby, and three cats.

Betty is survived by her daughter, June; brother, John; grandchildren, Julie (Tyreese) and Gerry; great-grandchildren, Mercedes (Andrew), Kurtis, Keisha, Gerry Jr., Jasmyne, Dikembe, Jordan and Anthony; great-great-grandchildren, Kamara, Quinten and Zayden; and family-by-love, Fred and Jan, Paul and Liz, Curtis and Arlene, and Beth.  She was preceded in death by her husband and soul-mate, Fred French, Sr.; second husband, Charles Barris; children, LeeAnne, Betsy, Carl, Danny and Joy; and Fred’s daughter, Sally.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Odessa-Catharine United Methodist Church, 305 Church Street, Odessa.  Family will be present to receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the start of the service.