OXFORD – Harriet “Betty” Kulakosky, 81, died on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011. She resided in Oxford for 53 years.
Betty was born on March 30, 1930 in the Upper Beachwood’s of Sullivan County in the farmhouse of her parents, Harriet “Hattie” Schaefer Long and Alfred L. Long. She was the little sister to her 4 siblings in a busy household. Her mom, took pride in putting good meals on the table and mealtimes at her parents’ home were family time. This deeply colored her life and she decided to become a dietician. She graduated from the Home Economics School at Cornell University in 1954. Afterwards, she was an intern in, and served in the Public Health Service.
After Betty’s fiancé, Gene Kulakosky, earned his discharge from the Army, they married in 1954. She devoted herself to raising her family, briefly in Barker and Norwich, and then settled in Oxford. When all of her children were in school she re-started her professional career, serving local healthcare institutions. Her favorite work was for the youngest and oldest members of our community, with Head Start and the Chenango County Office for the Aging, where food and nutrition education was part of her calling in addition to planning enjoyable and nutritious menus.
For most of her life she was a devoted and active member of the Girl Scouts of America and St. Joseph’s Parish in Oxford. In her retirement she reinforced food and cooking as her avocation. She liked to share recipes and continued to read about new ways to enjoy cooking and mealtime. From her family life and funeral lunches, to her professional career, preparing and sharing good food were a way of life for Betty. She was happiest when her extended family was gathered at a meal.
She was predeceased by her son, Joseph Kulakosky, her brother Harold Long, her sister and brother-in-law Edna and William “Butch” Wagner, her brother and sister-in-law Clinton “Red,” and Grace Long.
She is survived by her husband; her son Peter Kulakosky, with his wife Jean Marie Peacock of New Orleans; her daughter Mary Jefferson, with her husband C. Alan Jefferson and their children Amanda and David of Ellicott City, Md.; and her daughter Susan Kulakosky of Endicott, with her son Matthew Baquero. She is also survived by her brother Robert Long with his wife Betty, of Hagaman, by her niece Joan Wagner of Youngsville and other loved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Church, State Street in Oxford, at 11 a.m. Monday, with Rev. Lukasz Kozlowski officiating. Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main Street, Oxford on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are requested to be made to St. Joseph Church or the American Cancer Society, 57 Front St., Binghamton, NY 13905. Memories and condolences may be made by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.