Obituary of Betty Bell

Betty Marie Parks Bell passed away at the age of 95, or as she put it, “Five from One Hundred,” February 15, 2023 at Guthrie Hospital after a short illness. Betty was born November 20, 1927 in Susquehanna, PA, the fifth child of Robert and Mildred Pooler Parks. She grew up on the family dairy farm in the house her grandfather built and her mother also lived in, outside Oakland, PA. On October 28, 1950 Betty married her husband, Jack. She and Jack enjoyed 51 years of marriage until Jack’s passing February 22, 2002. Betty was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Mildred, her husband Jack, her brothers, Clarence, Ivan and Floyd (Stub) and their wives, her sister, Doris Kniskern and her husband, a special nephew, Craig Parks, and many other relatives and friends. She is survived by her daughters, Cheri (John) Congdon and Melinda (Craig) Sheldon, her pride and joy, grandson Michael (Adrienne) Congdon, step-granddaughters Susie (Harold) Norton and April (Michelle) Congdon, her brother Jerry (Beverly) Parks, and several nieces and nephews, along with special friend, Doug Kerr. Calling hours are Sunday, February 26th from 3:00-5:00pm at Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Avenue, Cortland, NY. A private burial is planned in South Winsor Cemetery. Donations in Betty’s name would be welcomed at the Cortland County SPCA, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.