Elizabeth "Betty" Stith

The last of the Stirushnik family of Mattydale has passed on. Elizabeth "Betty" Stith, 95, lifelong resident of Mattydale and the last of 8 children born to the late Harry and Aster Stirushnik, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at home with her family by her side. Betty who was quoted many times saying “I outlived them all” decided that not having her siblings or old friends to talk with anymore was too lonely. Her accomplishments were many. As a child of the Depression era, she wrote stories that she would read to her sisters and friends; learned to bake pies at a bakery when she was 13; tried to get a job at the local movie theater but was told she was too short (4’11”) but got one next door at Franklin’s Department Store. The owner provided her a box to stand on when she needed more height. While there, she could total up transactions in her head without the use of an adding machine; sort mail as the store was also the Post Office for years till one was built; could look at a customer and know what sizes they would wear from hats to shoes, male or female.

She met her future husband Joe, while riding a train to Seattle to visit her sister and he was on his way to war. They corresponded when he was overseas and married at the conclusion of the war. The marriage lasted 61 years and produced two sons, Daniel J. (Diane) Stith of Liverpool and Donald R. Stith of Mattydale, who are left to treasure her memory. She was predeceased by her husband in 2006. In her years of marriage, she learned how to cook; sew so well she made her own clothes, clothes for her immediate family, and for those upon request. Her biggest accomplishment was to go to school to learn Graphology, which is the study of handwriting, especially when regarded as an expression of the writer’s character, personality, abilities etc. Additional abilities she had included ESP and the nonchalant way she has of finding four-leaf clovers. He leaves behind in addition to her boys, her daughter-in-law, and nieces and nephews. A special mention goes to Kathi Straubing, Nancy Smith and Leonard Zappala who made an impact to her life.

Friends may call on Sunday from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at Krueger Funeral Home, 2619 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale. Funeral Services will begin Monday, 10:00 am, at the funeral home with burial following in North Syracuse Cemetery off South Bay Road in North Syracuse.