HORNELL-Betty S. Gessner, 87, formerly of Maple Court, passed away, in the presence of her loving family, Sunday afternoon (Nov. 22, 2015) at McAuley Manor in North Hornell.
Born in Hornell on Jan. 31, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Jesse and Carrie Button Spalding. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her son, James F. Gessner; her grandson, Christopher Gessner and her son-in-law, David Dupont.
A lifelong resident of Hornell, Betty was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1946.
Throughout the year she was employed by the former Bell Telephone Co., was a waitress at the former Sherwood Hotel and at the Hornell American Legion Post and as a switchboard operator for the NYSDOT in Hornell, retiring after 25 years of employment. She was also employed part-time, on weekends, as a switchboard operator at the former Bethesda Community Hospital in North Hornell.
Betty was a former member of the Hornell High School Association and the Hornell Moose Lodge No. 210, Women of the Moose.
For many years she volunteered her time delivering Meals on Wheels and as a driver for Faith in Action.
An avid reader, Betty also enjoyed crossword puzzles and nature, but most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren.
Her loving family includes her son, Robert (Margo) Gessner of Arkport; her daughter, Debra Dupont of Dansville; her daughter-in-law, Marian Gessner of Montgomery, Ill.; her six grandchildren, Kristen Gessner and Andrea (Bill) Hatzinger all of Montgomery, Ill., Jonathan (Heather) Dupont of Drexel Hill, Pa., Erin (Kyle) Cloutier of Wilbraham, Mass., Jessica Gessner of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Robert Gesner of Arkport; her five great-grandchildren; her sister, Sue (Robert) Stevens of California; also her nieces and nephews.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Betty S. Gessner.
Calling hours are noon-2 p.m. Saturday (June 25, 2016) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell where a funeral service will be held in her memory following callings at 2 p.m., with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Private interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Canisteo. After the service everyone is invited to the home of Debra Dupont, 25 Crestwood Circle, Dansville for a reception.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to the Hornell High School Alumni Assoc., P.O. Box 135, Hornell or to Faith In Action, P.O. Box 117, Hornell, N.Y. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences or remembrances of Betty are welcomed at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home.
