Betty Jane Nolan, 93 years young, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 15, 2015, at the Senior Living at Chenango Memorial Hospital. She was born February 21, 1921 in Syracuse, New York the daughter of Herman and Florence (Larrabee) Fickeisen. Betty attended Syracuse Schools and graduated from Syracuse Central High School. On July 4, 1941, she married James E. Nolan at All Saints Episcopal Church in Syracuse, and in 1959 they moved to Norwich when Jim went to work at the John C. Stott Agency.
Betty and Jim joined Emmanuel Episcopal Church where she became a member of the Choir and Altar Guild. She was in the Ladies Group always helping with bake sales, rummage sales and other activities to raise money for the church to use where it was best needed. Betty would always volunteer to bake pies, deliver food or flowers, or do any other jobs that she was able to do for the church. Faith was very important to Betty and she attended church until her health kept her away. She always attended services brought to the Chenango Valley Home, where she lived for five years, and later at the Senior Living at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.
In 1962 she went to work at Valley Video where she was in charge of accounts for 17 years. She loved working there and meeting everyone and made a lot of forever friends. Betty was an extremely active member of the community. Attending activities that her children were in at school, she followed the Norwich marching band all over the state and country for their performances, and went to so many of the school musicals, as well as the Council of the Arts programs. She loved attending the parades and fireworks in town, with the Christmas Parade being her favorite one.
Betty was a member of the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She enjoyed her 35+ years of volunteer work at the hospital front desk every Tuesday morning. She loved working for the “Welcome Wagon” years before. Her home demonstration group, Norwich Night Owls, was a fun way to share recipes, cook new things and do crafting projects. Those parties and dinners were such an enjoyment for her. Betty also enjoyed singing with the Chenango Valley Voices for different events. For many years she would work for the Board of Elections. That was a long day but she loved the enjoyment of seeing everyone. For many years the week of the Chenango County Fair was a busy time for her. She loved her African Violets and many of her backyard flowers that she had such good luck growing. She won a few ribbons for several of them. You would also find her working at the main gate, taking tickets, collecting money and enjoying seeing so many people. She was also a 50+ year member of the Bonafide Hiawatha Solvay Chapter #567, Order of the Eastern Star at Solvay, NY.
Betty enjoyed traveling. Her favorite vacation was to cruise. Always traveling on these adventures with Betty and Jim were their best friends, Dick and Marion Cook. She and Marion would take bus trips to NYC for the day to shop or for a show. She would go on longer trips to Branson for the entertainment and Atlantic City for the fun. Betty loved to shop and loved to be on the go. She enjoyed the company of her good friend Tom Tansey with trips to Florida and other adventures. For many years, Betty would join a group of girlfriends and play cards once a week. They were ready to start playing now that the holidays were over when she passed. Diane, Joyce, Molly, Mary and Shirley will now be in a group of five with one empty chair.
Betty was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, James E. Nolan and sons James E. Nolan Jr. and Phillip H. Nolan.
Betty is survived by her daughter Nancy Nolan Gibbon, son-in-law Michael A. Gibbon of Norwich; daughter-in-law Sandi Nolan of Las Vegas, NV; her grandson Michael Nolan and his wife Kelly and great grandson Sean of Las Vegas, NV. She is also survived by step-grandchildren, Steve Gibbon and wife Dara, Amy Conklin and husband Shane, Brenda Gibbon Haltner and husband Robert. Three step-great grandchildren Thomas Gibbon, Abigail and Emily Flynn also survive. She enjoyed a special friendship with her dear friend Tom Tansey. Also surviving is a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Betty would not want us to forget her love of her favorite Bulldog, Harley Davidson Gibbon who brought her so much laughter and joy. Sitting in her lap as a pup, beside her for the ear rubs or just waiting for his treats. He was known and welcomed by all at the Chenango Valley Home and at Senior Living at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
A funeral service for Betty will be held on Wednesday, May 20, at 11 a.m. from the Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Norwich. The Rev. Charles Taylor, Rector, will officiate. Friends may call at the church that morning from 10-11 a.m. Interment will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery of Syracuse.
Please consider in lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, PO Box 203, Norwich , NY 13815 or to the Mr. & Mrs. James E. Nolan Scholarship Fund, Opportunities for Chenango Inc., ATTN: Bonnie Abbott, 44 West Main St., Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are with the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.