Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.Funeral Home: August 2023

Betty A. Bell

1930 - 2023

COOPERSTOWN – Betty A. Bell, age 92, of Cooperstown, passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

She was born September 20, 1930, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Harness E. Alt and Mary Gorence.

A graduate of Cooperstown High School, Class of 1948, she graduated from the nursing school at Crouse Irving Hospital in Syracuse which she attended from 1951-1953. A Registered Nurse at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital from 1955-1992, Betty was a Clinic Coordinator for 10 years and an ER nurse for thirteen years where she was a respected and admired dignitary of the community.

She was known for her spirited sense of humor and animated story telling. A lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary in Cooperstown, she was also a member of the Native Daughters of Cooperstown.

Betty had a large family, many to whom she was a caregiver, including her mother, Mary. She loved to polka dance and frequent The Otesaga with her Aunt Gladys. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed her daily crossword puzzles.

Betty was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Roberts, her daughter, Wendy Lee, her sister, Pauline and brother Roy, Jr.

She leaves behind her son, Geoffrey Bell and his wife, Christine Bell; granddaughter Kimberly Baker, along with two self-estranged grandchildren, Victoria and Brock Bell and two great granddaughters that she never met but held dearly in her heart. She also leaves behind numerous cousins including Louise, her best friend Suzette and godchild Becky who provided special support in her final days.

A private graveside service will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index, where Betty will be laid to rest near her daughter, Wendy Lee.

A Celebration of Betty’s Life to which all are invited will be offered from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at the Cooperstown Veterans Club.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the VFW Auxiliary, PO Box 1272, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.

Lawrence P. Richards

1976 - 2023

COOPERSTOWN – Lawrence Penson “Larry” Richards, a lifelong resident of the Cooperstown area, passed away unexpectedly late Friday morning, August 11, 2023, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 47.

Born July 31, 1976, at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, Larry was the son of Lawrence Dale “Lannie” Richards and Shari L. Nelson Richards. Raised in Cooperstown, he graduated with the Class of 1995 from Cooperstown Central School.

Throughout his life he worked at Haggerty Ace Hardware and Gordy Robinson’s Service Station on Chestnut Street in Cooperstown.

Larry is survived by his sister, Jennifer Lea Richards of the Town of Middlefield.

He was predeceased by his mother, Shari L. Richards who died June 16, 2011, and his father, Lawrence Dale “Lannie” Richards who died June 10, 2022.

There will be no services at this time.

Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Arthur Edwin Boden, Jr.

1940 - 2023

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Arthur Edwin Boden, Jr., beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother and a native of Utica, passed away at his residence in Richfield Springs Saturday, August 5, 2023. He was 83.

Born January 20, 1940, in Utica, Arthur was a son of Arthur Edwin Boden, Sr. and Jane Catherine Brady Boden. Raised in Utica, he attended Mount Carmel School in Utica where he was taught by the Sisters of St. Francis.

For many years, Arthur was employed in the security field, most notably doing security work for Lockheed Martin in the State of Maryland.

Arthur is survived by his son, Arthur Edwin Boden III of Cooperstown; three grandchildren, Daniel Joseph Boden, Emilia Ann Boden, and Brianna Taylor Brass; two great grandchildren April Bella Boden and Ianina Truth Roberts; a brother, James F. Boden of the State of Maryland; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Jonathan Edward Boden, who died in 2000; a daughter-in-law, Velvet Truth Boden who died in 2003; and a sister, Evelyn M. Green who died in 2017.

A graveside service will be offered at 12 Noon on Thursday, September 7, 2023, in New Forest Cemetery in Utica with the Rev. Jim Cesta, Pastor of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Blessed Sacrament Parish in Utica presiding.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.