Betty M. Smithers

Betty M. Smithers, 88, of Ogdensburg, died on November 13, 2013, at her home. Calling hours will be Saturday, November 16, 2013, 11 am - 1 PM; a funeral service will follow at 1 PM, all at the funeral home, Reverend Thomas Nichols officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery, Eel Weir Road. Betty is survived by her son, Leif and wife Nancy Smithers, Rensselaer Falls, daughters, Anita Crowe, Ogdensburg, Nola and husband David Brown, Chula Vista, CA, brothers, Ellis Fishbeck, FL, Dean and wife Ruth Fishbeck, DePeyster, 9 grand children, 2 step grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 5 step great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son Vance Smithers, (Jan. 9, 2011), brothers, Howard and Larry Fishbeck, sisters, Mildred Mayhew and Ella Breaky. Betty was born on May 17, 1925 in the Town of DePeyster, the daughter of Ralph and Ruth Washburn Fishbeck. She graduated from Heuvelton Central School in 1942 as the Salutatorian. She married Harold Smithers on January 19, 1947, at her parent's home with Rev. Allen Bowering officiating; he died June 12, 1994. She worked as a herdsman, milked cows and on the machinery in fields on the farm she and her husband owned on Spiles Bridge Road. She also worked at Cleveland Container and the Saranac Lake Inn in housekeeping. She was a member of the Galilee Methodist Church and the DePeyster United Methodist Church. Betty loved spending time with her family, bird watching, planting flowers, cooking, and reading the newspaper. Contributions can be made to the Galilee Methodist Church, the DePeyster United Methodist Church or a local rescue squad.