Obituary of Betty H. Oakley

Betty H. (Van Buskirk) Oakley of Apalachin, NY went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 13, 2017. Betty was a warm, kind and giving Individual, Wife, Mother and Friend. She touched the hearts of many and her life was a testament for integrity, honesty and faith. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Gene. She is survived by her loving children; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Sherri, Punta Gorda, FL; her daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Jim Morris, Owego, NY; her daughters Bonnie Oakley, Endicott, NY and Donna Tarsia, Binghamton, NY; her son and daughter-in-law Craig and Alice, Newark Valley, NY; her daughter Marietta Salamida, Endicott, NY. Also surviving is one brother and his wife, William and Patty Van Buskirk, Anaheim, CA and one sister-in-law, Violet Van Buskirk, Placentia, CA. Betty was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Ethel (Card) Van Buskirk and her grandparents, Leroy and Catherine Card; her brothers Robert and Wilmer and her sister, Alice. Grandma was loved dearly by her 22 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Betty graduated from Nicholson High School in1942 and was married the following year. Along with being a devoted Mother, she also worked outside of the home as a Mail Carrier for the Apalachin Post Office and a Bus Driver for the Owego-Apalachin School System. Betty was also a dedicated leader of the Apalachin Girl Scout Troop for 15 years and supported Camp Dogwood in Apalachin during the summers. Betty also helped to initiate and support the Mello-Dears All Girl Drum and Bugle Corp of Apalachin over a span of 10 years. Betty was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Nicholson and the Apalachin United Methodist Church where she was also a choir member. The family will receive friends and relatives at the Apalachin United Methodist Church on Friday, April 21 from 11:00am to 12:30pm. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30pm at the church. A luncheon will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Betty's memory may be made to the Worship and Music Ministry or the Memorial Fund of the Apalachin United Methodist Church, 303 Pennsylvania Avenue, PO Box 355, Apalachin, NY 13732 or to the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, 8170 Thompson Road, Cicero, NY 13039. The Interment will be held in Nicholson, PA in late Spring of 2017.