Elizabeth A. Adams

Elizabeth "Betty" Ada Adams, 99, of Delmar passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 9th surrounded by loving members of her family. Betty was born in Syracuse, NY on August 4, 1917 to Charles H. Sanford and Bessie S. Blyth. Betty attended Bethlehem Central High School where she met the love of her life, Robert E. Adams. They married on April 22, 1939 at Delmar Methodist Church, in Delmar, NY on the same day as her parents were married, making it a very special day indeed. They resided in Delmar and operated the family owned store, Adams Hardware Store until their retirement in 1980, where upon they moved to Fultonham and thoroughly enjoyed a relaxed life. Adams Hardware was quite the mainstay of Delmar, where you could purchase anything you needed not only for the home and farm like roofing nails and dishes, but also anything unique that you desired. Betty was quite the talented gal, having a great love of dancing, acting, music and bowling. Her love of music came from her mother, with an innate born talent of being able to hear a song and turn around and play it note for note. Later in life, she became her church's organist and pianist, playing at numerous events whenever asked, as well as, each Sunday service. She loved to put an extra twist into the music, making it all her own and would play for hours, particularly hymns and 40's and 50's music, with a giggle and grin on her face. One of her absolute favorite songs was "5'2 Eyes of Blue" which was always a big hit with anyone who heard it. As a special treat for Delmar residents at the Four Corners, she would play Christmas music on her personal organ over the PA system at the store for everyone to enjoy right up until Christmas. Her love of dancing and acting played beautifully into later life with her acting in numerous vaudeville shows around the county. She would practice for hours and hours, and looked forward to making everyone laugh. Her bowling career started very young and continued into her mid-80's, oftentimes being on several bowling leagues at the same time! She had quite the right hook and was affectionately called "the Happy Hooker" due to her accuracy in hitting strike after strike. Her love for her family and church however came first and foremost. Both her daughter and son had two daughters each, producing grandchildren and great grandchildren that she and Robert loved to dote on. Her happiness tripled upon learning that she was also now a great, great grandmother, something she loved to tell everyone about. She loved to do picnics in the glade at the back of their property, being well known for having the best potato salad around! Walking down the street to get an ice cream was her absolute favorite thing to do, even making up special occasions just to grab a scoop. Her freezer was guaranteed to always have several different flavors on hand, which the grandchildren enjoyed especially. Playing Canasta, Cribbage, Dominoes and Pinochle were favorite pastimes whiling away rainy days and sunny summer afternoons spent with family and friends. Always the first to offer support when someone was ill, a shoulder to lean on, a great listening ear, Betty was known far and wide for her generosity, her true Christian spirit, love of life, and the beautiful smile always present on her face for all. When you met Betty, you immediately felt as you'd known her forever, one of her many wonderful talents that will be so greatly missed. Betty is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Elizabeth Van Wie, her son and daughter in law, Glenn Robert Adams and Patricia Lebretore Adams, her grandchildren Heather Rachel Taylor and husband Robert Taylor, Amy Beth Baker and husband Bruce Baker, Carrie Rebecca Einbinder and husband Marshal Einbinder, Frank Adams and wife Ann Adams, Gretchen Melanie Heller and fiancé Ernie Sweet, and Dominic Archino. Her great grandchildren, Michael Diederich, Jennifer Monroe, Joshua Einbinder, Victoria Baker, Kyle Heller, Rachel Lamb, Daniel Baker, Samuel Einbinder and one great great grandchild, Alayah Monroe. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, May 12th from 4 to 6:30 pm at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar and are welcome to remain for a memorial service at 6:30 pm.