Obituary of Betty I. Gallup

Athol: Betty Irene Gallup, 90, of Athol Road, passed away peacefully, Thursday, May 23, 2013 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Born September 16, 1922 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, she was an only child born to the late William and Lillian (Robinson) Bettles. She attended Bowmanville High School, graduating in 1941. Betty enjoyed playing basketball, singing and playing the piano and violin; a highlight of her youth was winning an award for her exceptional typing abilities, she was also involved in her family’s business, Bowmanville Dairy, where she played many roles from making deliveries to bookkeeping. Betty worked in the sales department of the head office of General Motors of Canada, Oshawa, Ontario, where she billed cars as they came off the assembly line, using her fast and accurate typing on an electromatic IBM machine. While employed by GM, she was a member of their Badminton Club, winning several trophies and competitions throughout her seven years of employment. In the summer of 1955, while vacationing at the Sun Canyon Ranch in Athol, NY, Betty met Franklin D. Gallup, a "local" boy who had just returned home from Korea; the couple married on September 2, 1955 and resided in Athol. She briefly worked for the State Bank of Albany, presently Glens Falls National, before becoming a stay at home mother, raising her three children. In 1962 Betty and her family were an influential force in the growth of the Christ Community Church in Athol, while her husband, Frank was active in the building aspect; Betty served as the church treasurer, organist, and music director. Betty and Frank were the proprietors of Gallup Builders, a local contracting company that began in 1970; she took care of the necessary bookkeeping for the business for over 25 years. Betty served as a director on the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce, as well chairman of their art show for several years. She also acted as treasurer for the John Thurman Historical Society, Inc. in Athol and became a member of the Church of The Holy Cross. Upon her retirement in 1977, Gallup Builders was taken over by the couple’s son, Lewis; he currently runs the business. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 57 years, Franklin Gallup of Athol; three children, Lewis Gallup and his wife, Rosemarie of Warrensburg, Julie Harrington and her husband, Guy of Warrensburg, and Janice Ricci of Virginia Beach, VA; her grandchildren: Lewis Gallup, Dillon Pryme, Harley Pryme, Lacy Cook, Waylon Cook, and Nicholas Ricci; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends may call on Betty’s family from 4 to 7 pm, Monday, May 27, 2013 at Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 am, Tuesday at The Church of The Holy Cross, 3764 Main St., Warrensburg with Father Thomas Pettigrew officiating. Burial will follow in Reynolds Cemetery, Thurman. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Betty’s name to Church of the Holy Cross, 3764 Main St., Warrensburg NY 12885. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guestbook, condolences and directions.