Betty Torrey Obituary

Betty Louise (Stetson) Torrey November 11, 2009 Betty Louise (Stetson) Torrey passed peacefully November 11, 2009, in Sarasota, FL. Born in Kenmore, NY, near Buffalo, Betty graduated from Kenmore High School in 1945, then Fredonia State Teachers College in 1949. Shortly after graduation, she married Richard F. Torrey of Syracuse. They lived in Central and Western New York prior to moving to Venice (1988), then Sarasota (2005), Florida. Sports and music played a major role in Betty's life. She performed as a church soloist and directed church choirs. She enjoyed golf, bowling, curling, cross country skiing, tennis and attending Syracuse football and basketball, plus Buffalo Bills and Sabres games. Betty and husband Dick together played golf in 25 countries around the world, mostly after Dick retired from Niagara Mohawk in 1988. She shot three holes-in-one. She was a master calligrapher and donated many hours of volunteer work to charities in each place she lived. Betty was a former member of Rockefeller Memorial Church and DeWitt Community Church. She was a member of Onondaga Golf and Country Club. Surviving are her husband of 60+ years, Richard F. Torrey; daughters, Patricia Torrey (Warren Kritsberg) of Baldwinsville, Carol (George) Kress of Rochester and Barbara (Kenneth) Friedman of Ithaca; six grandchildren: Becca Simpkins of Carlsbad, CA, Ashley Simpkins of East Greenbush, Shannon Kress Duerr of Millbrook, Erin Kress of Boston, MA, and Karen and Paul Friedman, both at SUNY Buffalo; and one great-granddaughter, Clare Stetson Duerr of Millbrook. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, in DeWitt Community Church. Interment will be in DeWitt Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to TideWell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 or the Alzheimer's Association, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204. Fairchild & Meech DeWitt Chapel has arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at syracuse.com/obits