Elizabeth “Betty” Butler

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Elizabeth J. "Betty" Butler aka "Gummy", age 78 of Church Street passed away on Thursday evening February 1, 2024 in Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown.

Betty was born on November 19, 1945 in Oneonta, a daughter to the late Frank and Phyllis Craft Kappler. She was raised in Mount Vision and educated in Laurens Central School graduating with the Class of 1962. On March 26, 1967 she was united in marriage with Leonard G. Butler, a blessed and loving union of forty years until his passing on July 15, 2007. For thirty-seven years she worked for Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown as a Surgical Technician, retiring in 2008. She was dedicated to her community she was first an EMT for the Richfield Springs Volunteer Fire Department later becoming a Firefighter, she was the first woman in Richfield to hold this position. She was also a member of the Richfield Springs Lioness Club and the Church of Christ Uniting, Richfield Springs.

To know Betty, she was very supportive of her grandchildren in their sporting activities. She loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a friend to many and will never be forgotten.

Surviving her are a son J. Chris Butler and his wife Antoinette "Toni" of Richfield Springs, three daughters DeEtta McKnight of Baltimore, Maryland, Chandra Coones and her husband Bryan of Richfield Springs, Lynn Etta Gay and her husband Steven of Herkimer, eleven grandchildren; Brandon Coones and his wife Kelly, Jessika Bartlett and her husband Ryan, LaRhonda McKnight, Ronnie McKnight and his wife Chelsea, Sierra Hill and her husband Bryan, Madisyn Butler and wife Sam, Kennadi Butler, Kurstin Gay and wife Maria, Dakota Butler, Daniel Butler and special granddaughter Katherine Stack, eleven great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law Donald Butler, a niece Lisa Butler and a nephew Donnie Butler.

Besides her parents and husband Lenny she was preceded in death by a son-in-law Ralph Imundo and a sister-in-law Charlotte Butler.

A funeral for Mrs. Butler will take place Saturday February 10th at 10:00 am in the Church of Christ Uniting, Church Street, Richfield Springs with the Reverend Daniel Hoogheem officiating.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in memory of Betty with donations to the Kuyhoora Valley Foundation, PO Box 244, Newport New York 13416 envelopes will be available at the church.

Funeral arrangements are with the J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs.