Betty Jean Tronkowski (1934–2026)

Betty Jean Tronkowski (née Dickson), 91, of Endicott, New York, passed away on February 11, 2026. Born on April 4, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Dickson and Lunda Evelyn Platt Dickson.

Betty grew up in Luzerne and Kingston, Pennsylvania, where she attended Luzerne High School. It was there that she met her husband, Bernie Tronkowski; the high school sweethearts were together for over 70 years, having met in 1951. In 1962, the family moved to Endicott, New York, where they established their longtime home.

A dedicated and ambitious worker, Betty began her employment history at age 14, working in the diet kitchen at Nesbitt Memorial Hospital in Kingston, PA. After moving to New York, she began a 37-year career with Binghamton Giant Markets. Starting as a cashier, she worked her way up to store office manager and, eventually, to the corporate office, where she oversaw bookkeeping and auditing until her retirement at 65.

Betty was a woman of deep faith and an active member of Northminster Presbyterian Church. She served her congregation as a Deacon and an Elder, as the Presbyterian Women's Treasurer, and sang in the church choir for 40 years. She was also a member of the Endwell League of Community Action and the local AARP chapter.

Betty found joy in simple pleasures: cooking for her family (especially her tomato rice soup and onion sandwiches), taking lots of classes at the West Family YMCA, and watching birds in her backyard with her husband. She loved travel, counting trips to Alaska and Nova Scotia among her favorites. Above all, Betty was proudest of her family. She loved watching her sons play sports and enjoyed watching her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities.

She is survived by her son, Kevin Tronkowski, and his wife, Karen; her grandchildren, Carrie (Jason) Luke, Ethan (Sophie) Tronkowski, and Emma Tronkowski; and her great-grandchildren, Abigail, Patrick, and Kellen Luke. She is also survived by her brothers, Thomas (Nancy) Dickson and Robert Dickson, her half-sisters, Judy Rollison and Susan Morgan, and a daughter-in-law, Darlene.

Betty was predeceased by her parents; her stepmother, Vivian Jones Gibbs; her brother, Marvin Dickson; her devoted husband, Bernie Tronkowski; and her beloved eldest son, Bernie Earl Tronkowski Jr., who passed away in 2015.

A memorial service will be held Saturday February 21,2026 at 11:45 AM at North Minster Presbyterian Church, 711 Farm to Market Rd, Endwell. Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church Saturday Morning from 10 AM until 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northminster General Fund, the Endwell League of Community Action or the Animal Care Council; as these organizations were near and dear to Betty.