Betty Jane Cornelius
1926-2014
BOLIVAR - Betty Jane Cornelius formally of 82 South St. passed away on Saturday October 18, 2014 in
the Pines Health & Rehabilitation Center in Machias, NY following a lengthy illness. Born September 6, 1926 in Buffalo,
she was the daughter of Maurice “Jake” and Isabelle Middaugh Young.
A graduate of Richburg Central School in 1943, she attended Wheaton College and received her bachelor’s degree in English
from Alfred University in 1959 and received her master’s degree in education from Alfred University. Betty started her
teaching career at the Allentown School and later Friendship Central School where she taught English, Latin, Spanish and Music.
She then started her tenure at the Bolivar Central School in 1949 where she taught Junior High English for thirty-seven years
retiring in 1986. Following her retirement she served as head Liberian at the Bolivar Free Library for thirteen years.
Betty served as organist and choir director at the Richburg First Day Baptist Church, Bolivar United Methodist Church
and Portville Presbyterian Church. Betty played organ and piano professionally at various area restaurants. She was a
member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers Sorority, the Red Hat Society and the Bolivar retired Teacher Association.
Surviving are one son Fr. John (Sharyl) Cornelius of Almond N.Y. and three granddaughters; Virginia Leigh Cornelius
of Lake George, Sarah Jane Cornelius of Almond and Rebecca Anne (Justin) Meier of Ft. Worth Texas. Also surviving are
several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a sister Harriett White.
Friends may call at the Schaffner Funeral Home Inc. Bolivar on Tuesday 9-11A.M. A funeral service will follow visitation
at 11A.M., Fr. John Cornelius will officiate. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2P.M. in St.
Mary’s Church in Bolivar. Burial will be in Maple Lawn Cemetery Bolivar.
Memorials may be made to the Bolivar Free Library, 390 Main St. Bolivar N.Y. 14715.
Schaffner Funeral Home
