Betty E. Carney

Betty Eleanor Carney, a native of Elmira, NY and resident of Watkins Glen, NY passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. She was 61 years old.

Betty was an unforgettable woman who was always so proud of her accomplishments. She would often tell of her younger life prior to living at the Arc. She worked at McDonalds for quite some time and proudly lived on her own up until she chose to move into Smith Road IRA with guidance from her family and trusted Care Coordinator, Chris. There were very few times that Betty would say "I can't"- she would often say "if I don't use it, I'm going to lose it"- she never let her conditions define her and was very motivated to do anything and everything she could on her own.

Betty loved hard- her staff, peers, and family were everything to her- she never forgot a birthday or special event for anyone. She took in everything around her, most of the time being more concerned about staff and peers than she was for herself. She could often be found crocheting while watching Bob Ross, a game show, Wrestling, or Football. Betty was a die-hard Giants fan, but chose to be a Bills fan by default- truthfully whatever team made someone else happy she would cheer for. Betty loved the trips she took with staff and peers and would often talk about them and how much she enjoyed the adventures- a few of her favorite trips were NYC, Erie Zoo, and Niagara Falls.

She always ensured that she advocated for herself and made it known if something was not going the way she wanted. Betty lived at Smith Road for many years prior to needing to move to Cedar Street as she needed a little more assistance- this move was hard for everyone involved, however, the staff at Cedar Street welcomed her with so much grace and Betty adapted well knowing that Smith Road staff would never be too far away.

The impact Betty had on so many showed in her last few days; multiple staff were seen spending hours with Betty just talking to her and telling her about life and the drama that she loved so much. Staff ensured that her hair was braided, her nails were done, and that she looked just the way she would have wanted prior to her passing. She will be missed and most importantly remembered by anyone she came across.

She was preceded in death by her parents – Ralph and Margaret Jane (Mills) Carney; her brother – George L. Carney; and her sister Carol Garrett.

She is survived by: her brother Robert Carney and wife Kathleen; her sisters Alyce Courtney and husband Kevin, and Marilyn Lear; her nieces – Karen Avery and husband Philip, Casandra Carney, and Colleen Mihalek and husband Joseph; and six great-nieces.

Friends and family are invited to Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Elmira, NY for a visitation on Sunday, March 16 from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM, when her funeral service will begin. She will later be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, 1200 Walnut Street, also in Elmira, NY.

The family would like to thank all of the caregivers who’ve loved and protected Betty through the years, especially Chris Sowell and William Sample.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her honor to The  Arc of Chemung-Schuyler, 711 Sullivan St, Elmira, NY 14901.

"We don't laugh because we feel good, we feel good because we laugh."- Bob Ross