Betty L Cooper

Betty Linda Cooper, 80, of Calcium, NY, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2023 at her home where she was surrounded by her family and under the care of Hospice of Jefferson County.

She was born on February 24, 1943 to Rene H. and Dorothy R. (Loveland) Cooper in Watertown, NY. Betty had a fulfilling career, starting at the Agricultural Insurance Co. in 1960. In August of 1976, she joined the newly formed New York Casualty Insurance Co. as the manager of one of the services divisions. In 1979, she transferred to the personal lines underwriting division and was promoted to division manager in 1983. She received her associate in underwriting designation from the Insurance Institute of America in 1984. In January of 1986 she was named director of personal lines and in January of 1987 was appointed director of systems and procedures. In May of 1989 she was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Systems and Procedures where she remained until she retired.

Betty formerly served as the treasurer of the St. Lawrence Valley Insurance Women Chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women, treasurer of the Sanford Corners Cemetery in Calcium, President of the Northern New York Agricultural Historical Society and trustee of the Calcium Community Church.

In life Betty was an avid gardener, photographer and nature enthusiast. She loved animals and had many dogs and cats throughout her life. She was strong in her faith and played the piano for over 50 years for the Calcium Community Church and most recently the Indian River Baptist Church in Philadelphia, NY. She shared many adventures with her long time companion Leonard Hamilton Jr. whom she married on October 14, 2023.

She is survived by her beloved father, Rene H. Cooper, her husband, Leonard Hamilton Jr., a sister and brother in law, Susanna M.  and Kenneth Gardner, a niece, Holly S. O’Brien, a nephew, Scott E. Ring and nephew Jason R.C. Ring and his wife Jennifer Ring, great niece, Erin E. O’Brien, two  great nephews Patrick A. O’Brien and Peter A. O’Brien and a great great nephew,  Cooper T. Olver.

She was pre-deceased by her mother Dorothy L. Cooper in 1991.

Arrangements are being handled by the Hart and Bruce Funeral Home. A funeral service to honor Betty’s life will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 2pm at the Indian River Baptist Church located at 42 Main Street, Philadelphia, NY 13673. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be at the Sanford Corners Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty’s name to Hospice of Jefferson County at 1398 Gotham Street, Watertown, NY.

The family would like to personally thank the amazing staff of Hospice for taking wonderful care of Betty throughout this process. We could not have done this without you. Any support of Hospice of Jefferson County in her name would be greatly appreciated.

Online condolences may be left at www.hartandbrucefh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty L Cooper, please visit our floral store.