Betsy Dean

Myrtle Beach, SC - Betsy Dean went home to Jesus on Sunday evening January 15, 2023. She was 93. She was the daughter of the late Sherman and Dorothy (Sellew) Bishel, and the beloved wife of the late Stuart M. Dean of Boonville, NY. Born in Middletown, CT, she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and then attended Syracuse University, where she met the love of her life on a blind date. She graduated SU, married Stuart, and they made their first home together in Syracuse. After a few years on Long Island, they moved to Altamont, where she lived most of her life.  Five years ago, following her daughter's retirement to Myrtle Beach, Betsy joined her daughter and enjoyed her time in the warmer weather.  

She was a stay-at-home mom and was always available for her children. When her youngest was in high school, she volunteered in the library at Pineview Christian School. Then, when some of her local grandchildren needed a place to stay during the after school hours, she welcomed them, as well.

Mrs. Dean sewed school clothes for her children and as they grew, she also developed interests in other crafts -- including making stuffed teddy bears for grandchildren and lots and lots and lots of quilts, some of which won awards and ribbons. She was very active in local quilting groups, and taught a class for quilters based on Biblical themes.

Her faith and her involvement in the church were very important to her. She said that she read all of the Gospel of Matthew in one afternoon when she was in her teens and “fell in love with Jesus” right then, a love that continued to grow her whole life.

In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, she was predeceased by her brother Robert Bishel, her brother-in-law David Dean, her sister-in-law Betty Bishel, her infant grandson Jason Dean, and her niece Holly Bishel.

She is survived by her children, Dottie (Burton) Mintline, Alice (Richard) Ruby, Mark Dean, Paul (Carla Walker) Dean, and John Dean; her grandchildren, Michael (Ruth) Gay, Peter (Eun Young) Gay, David (Yusimy) Gay, Jeffrey (Kristen) Ruby, David (Kelly) Ruby, Danielle (Bradford) Scolaro, Susan (Gilbert) Garza, Jennifer Dean, Matthew Dean, Kristin (Joseph Reedy) Dean, Steven Dean, Lauren (Richard) McCutcheon, and Marcy (Patrick) McMillen; her 28 great-grandchildren -- Katie, Sara, Hailee, Joseph Jr., David Jr., Donovin, Cody, Derek, Ella, Elizabeth, Alexis, Joseph, Yazmine, Amber, Luca, Elinor, Jiyong, Alexander, Nora, Paul, Fiona, Yezenia, Anthony, Alasdair, Jameson, Deborah, Yuliza, and Rachel -- as well as by her brother Arthur (Pat) Bishel, her sisters-in-law Brenda Dean and Elaine Bishel, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Fredendall Funeral Home, followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, Altamont.  Visitation will be held in the funeral home on Monday 12 - 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betsy’s memory to Princetown Church 3662 Giffords Church Road, Duanesburg, NY 12056.