Obituary of Elizabeth A. Reed

Elizabeth “Betsy” A. Reed, 68, of Cameron, NY, passed away at home with family at her side on Sunday, April 10, 2022 following a valiant battle with cancer. Born August 15, 1953, Betsy was the daughter of the late Lawrence G. and Lillian M. Crane. She was born, raised and lived in the area her whole life. Betsy kept her roots here with two long occupations. She was employed by Community Bank in Woodhull, NY while raising her two children, Debbie and Joe, with their father Michael Heckman. She eventually began a career of over 20 years with Corning Inc. where she met Dan. Betsy married Daniel H. Reed on August 7, 2010 at their home in Cameron, NY and her family grew larger with step children. Betsy and Dan were both very active members of the Rathbone United Methodist Church. Betsy held various positions for the church including church treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent and a Sunday School teacher, roles in which she took great pride. She enjoyed sharing her love of art by creating crafts for the children, sending handmade cards to the congregation, and embroidering paraments for the church congregation to enjoy. Betsy was incredibly creative. Early on she was fond of painting a ceramic Christmas village and sewing Barbie clothes. Through the years she has given every nearly family member beautiful handmade Christmas ornaments and handmade quilts. Family was the most important thing in Betsy’s life. She was the hearthstone to her family and expressed her love through food, especially her cookies, homemade canned spaghetti sauce, biscuits and gravy, chocolate pie, and “critters.” Betsy could always be counted on to do what was needed to take care of everyone whether it was babysitting her grandchildren, caring for her mother at the end of her life, caring for her brother after an illness, taking in her son and his family after a house fire, or helping a friend in need. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who is deeply loved by her children and grandchildren. At home with family was where she preferred to be, especially in the garden, but she did do some traveling. In addition to visiting her children in New York City and Pennsylvania, in 2017 she traveled to Israel with her husband and daughter. It was a trip that had a lot of impact and she deeply treasured. Betsy is survived by her husband, Daniel Reed of Cameron, her daughter, Debra (Kris) Neild of Lansdale, Pa, her son, Joseph (Amanda) Heckman of Rathbone, her step mother, Patricia Crane of Findley, OH, her step son, Andrew Reed of Brooklyn, her step daughter, Caitlin Reed (Benjamin Hartford) of Fountain Inn, SC, her grandchildren, Ryan Neild, James Neild, Megan Neild, Elizabeth Heckman, Jason Heckman, Theo Reed and Madeleine Reed, her siblings, Jack (Judy) Wickering of Campbell, Judith Dunn of Woodhull, Thomas Crane, Robert Crane of Addison and Lawrence Crane (Margie Adams) of Richmond, VA, along with many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Betsy was predeceased by her infant son, Michael Clarence Heckman, her sister, Barbara Randall and her daughter in law, Jennifer Reed. A memorial service will be held at the Rathbone United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 23 at 10 am with Pastor Morris Gridley Jr. officiating. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home in Woodhull, NY and the burial will be in Woodhull Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested for the Rathbone Methodist Church, PO Box 1, Addison, NY 14801 or Care First Hospice, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870. A special thank you to everyone who supported her journey toward the end of her life.