NEW BERLIN – Elizabeth B. (Ryan) Grainger, 83, New Berlin, NY passed away on Friday, April 19, 2013 at the Folts Homes, Herkimer, NY.
Betty was born on December 11, 1929 in Fairport, NY the daughter of Irving D. and Mary A. Bramer. Her childhood was spent helping in her father’s corner drug store in Fairport and perusing antique shops with her mother. She married Donald A. Grainger in 1960.
She was a 1952 graduate of The University of Rochester School of Nursing. After graduation, Betty worked as the head nurse of the Obstetrics Unit at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. She later accepted a teaching position at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor Campus. She returned to the Rochester are to marry and raise her “three boys” while employed by a private pediatrics practice. In 1972 she and the family moved to Sherburne, NY to be closer to the family’s summer home on Chenango Lake and she soon accepted a school nurse teacher position with the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District. In 1976 she was hired as an evening shift nursing supervisor at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich and later retired as their Director of Long Term Home Health Care. After retirement she continued to lend her nursing skills to the Norwich community as a volunteer with Hospice and the local Area Agency on Aging. She also enjoyed trips to Russia, France, Finland and several other European countries with her friends and coworkers and was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of New Berlin. She was always there to lend a helping hand or sympathetic ear to those in need.
Betty is survived by her children, Scott (Debra) Grainger of New Berlin, NY with whom she lived for the last five years, Mark (Tina) Grainger of Lebanon, OH and Christopher Grainger of Oriskany Falls, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Megan (Joseph) Ackerman, Evan Grainger and Janette Grainger, all of New Berlin and Lindsay Grainger of Lebanon, OH.
She was predeceased by her parents as well as siblings, Dr. James (Sue) Bramer, Lewis (Alice) Bramer, and Nina (Stuart) Walling.
Calling hours will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the Dakin Funeral Home LP, New Berlin, NY.
The funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, New Berlin, NY with the Very Reverend Charles Taylor officiating.
The burial will be in the Bramer family plot in the Oakwood Cemetery, Pennfield, NY.
The family would like to express sincere thanks to the staff of the Folts Homes for the gentle compassionate care they provided during her last three weeks.
Memorial donations may be made to the Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.dakinfuneralhome.com.