Obituary of Elizabeth Mattox

DELMAR - Elizabeth "Betty" Mattox, 94, died Friday, December 30, 2011 at Our Lady of Mercy Life Care Center, Guilderland. She was the widow of the late Richard H. Mattox. Born in Albany, on April 5, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Charles H. and Angeline Emery MacCulloch. Betty attended PS 16 through eighth grade, graduating from the Albany Academy for Girls. She earned a B.A. in sociology from Middlebury College in 1938. She met her husband, an Iowa native, in Albany, and they enjoyed 67 years of marriage while raising four children; socializing with their many friends and colleagues; traveling widely, including several periods of living overseas (Tehran, Rome, Budapest); churchgoing at Delmar Presbyterian Church; and pursuing a love of art, music, ballet, and theater. Betty returned to school in midlife, earning a Master's degree at the State University of New York at Albany in English as a Second Language and New York State teacher certification in English. She then embarked on a 15-year career teaching English to non-native-speaking employees of the New York State Office of General Services; foreign students at the Junior College of Albany (Sage Colleges); and, as lecturer in the Department of Foreign Language Education, at the State University of New York at Albany. She also taught English to home-bound students of Bethlehem Central Schools. Throughout, she was active in the community, serving on the Board of Planned Parenthood, volunteering at the Albany Therapeutic Riding Center, and spending many hours helping out at a food pantry in Albany. She and her husband were also active in the Capital Area Council of Churches. On the home front, she was a voracious reader -- impossible to keep pace with. Her skills as a pianist were a joy to her family. She loved to walk, particularly at Five Rivers, where she was thrilled to observe sunning turtles, wild turkeys, deer, or a bounding rabbit. She was an intrepid swimmer, be it pool or ocean, always the first to brave cold waters. Every spring would find her outside, picking lily of the valley to make a simple bouquet, and every fall, picking up the most beautiful of fallen leaves. Betty was a truly gracious, loving, giving, strong, and gentle woman, always "there" for her loved ones, and possessing of a fine mind, a wry sense of humor, and lots of energy to spare. She maintained many close and enduring friendships. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Richard and her cherished daughter-in-law Virginia S. Mattox. Betty is survived by her four loving children Robert Mattox of Delmar, Judith White (Lawrence) of Loudonville, Andrew Mattox (Sandee) of Woods Hole, MA, and Janet Mattox of Delmar. She was the proud grandmother of Craig and Brad Mattox, Zoe and Lucas White, and Calla Mattox and great grandmother of Alex, Chloe, Miles, Nicolo, Alessandro, Luke, and Thomas. She is also survived also by her loving brother, Charles MacCulloch of Slingerlands, and her dear friend Katy De Porte of Rexford. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar, NY. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Delmar Presbyterian Church, 585 Delaware Ave., Delmar, NY 12054 or a charity of your choice.