NORWICH – Elizabeth Jane Feldmeier Brereton, of Chittenango, died at her home on July 6, 2007 with her daughters at her side.
Betty Jane was born on Oct. 21, 1918 to Lela (Lumley) and Harvey Feldmeier in Utica.  She was raised in Little Falls with her brothers Allan (predeceased), Edward (predeceased) and Robert.  She received a B.A. degree from Wellesley College in 1940 and a M.S. degree from Cornell University in 1942 where she met her future husband, John Grobe Brereton, Ph.D.  Betty and John were married Aug. 15, 1942 in Little Falls.
 Betty Jane and her young family moved to their long-term home in Norwich in 1949 when her husband was named president of Sheffield Chemical Company.  In Norwich, she raised her five children and supported their education and many activities.  She served the community through a variety of volunteer organizations including her activity at the United Church of Christ and most notably as a Girl Scout leader and chair of the board of the Norwich YMCA.  She also was a teacher’s aide for the chemistry department of the Norwich School District.  She also enjoyed her participation in other groups such as the former Norwich Club and the Norwich Book Club.
Since 1977, Betty Jane has lived in Chittenango where she continued her community service activities as a swimming instructor for preschoolers and for the mentally and physically challenged, a literacy volunteer, and interpreter of books for the blind, a tax preparer for the elderly and a volunteer at the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum.  She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango and of the local Wellesley Club.
Betty Jane was an avid swimmer throughout her life.  Her passion for swimming began as a child at Girl Scout camp in the Adirondacks and continued as a masters swimmer, setting national age-group records well into her 60’s. She also enjoyed bowling, bridge, jazz, campfires and playing golf.
 She is survived by three daughters, Nancy Karpinski (John) of Auburn, Beth Smith (Robert) of Newtonville, Mass. and Anne Butts of Stanfordville; two sons, Dr. John Brereton (Joanne) of Norwich and Tom Brereton (Amy) of Atlanta, Ga.; 15 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 6 step-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Peggy Lou Feldmeier of Fayetteville and numerous nieces and nephews.  Her husband, John, died in 1978.
Funeral services for Betty Jane will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, 118 Arch Street, Chittenango.  A reception will follow at the church.  Burial will take place at 3:30 pm in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Norwich.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Betty Jane’s memory may be made to Hospice of CNY, the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum, the First Presbyterian Church of Chittenango, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or to the American Heart Association.
The local arrangements are under the direction of the Wilson Funeral Home.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at:  www.wilsonfh.com.