Betty R. North

Portville-Betty R. North, formerly of Cuba Lake and St. Augustine Florida, most recently of Portville, passed away Saturday (April 2, 2022) at the Pines Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Olean, after a long illness. She went to join her 30- year companion and love of her life, Joseph Tisone, who passed away on February 15, 2017.

Born September 9, 1925 in Coudersport, PA., she was the only daughter born to Raymond L. and Laura Campbell Hawley. On March 17, 1950, she married the late, Robert North, Sr. and together they had four children; Robert (Georgette) North, Jr., Stanley (Suzanne) North, Laura (Kenneth) Shields, and Linda (Larry) Douglas.  Betty had fourteen grandchildren; Michelle (Rick)Fedrizzi, Scott Leonard, Jason North, Jennifer (Mark) Claussner, Brian (Joanna) North, Briana (Chris) Daniel, Tina (Brian) Jefferds, Tonya (Jeffery) Reisman, Mark (Tonya) Shields, Danielle (Rob) Ostrum, Brian (Michelle) Douglas, Debbie Douglas, Michelle (Ples) Breazeale, and Richard Freer, Jr. She also had thirty-four great-grandchildren; and ten great-great grandchildren. Betty was predeceased by four brothers: Bob, Rupert, Jack and Harold Hawley.

In 1943, Betty took a job with the United States Postal Service in Portville, she worked there until her marriage in 1950. On November 5, 1947 she began taking flying lessons, later receiving her certification and pilot’s license. When not at her postal job, she was flying for the next three years.

After having her children, Betty went back to work at North Body Shop as a bookkeeper and office manager. During the late 1960’s she worked as a nurse’s aide for the former St. Francis Hospital and Olean General Hospital.  Later in life, she began her dream job; volunteering daily as a docent in the Spanish Quarter on St. George Street in St. Augustine, Florida. She dressed up in period costume and guided children, students, and adults on tours through the exhibit sharing the history and customs of the first Spanish settlers in the area.

Betty was a lifetime member of the Eastern Star, as well as various other clubs in Cuba, Portville, and St. Augustine, Florida. Two of the things she was most proud of, were the position of aide to the V.F.W. Auxiliary State President of Florida for numerous years of service and most recently, her membership with the Catherine Schuyler NSDAR.

Friends will be received at the Guenther Funeral Home Inc., 51 S. Main Street, Portville on Wednesday (April 6, 2022) from 10-11:30am. Funeral services will begin at 11:30am in the funeral home. Burial will be in Ulysses Cemetery, Ulysses, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials, if desired, may be made to the Portville Free Library, 2 N Main Street, Portville, NY 14770 or The Cuba Historical Society % The Palmer Opera House 12 W. Main St. Cuba NY, 14727.