Betty J. Bumgarner

Niskayuna - Betty Jeannine Bumgarner,95, passed away peacefully, following a two week stay at the Grand at Barnwell nursing home, on July 28, 2024. Born on December 1, 1928, Betty was the daughter and only child of the late Raymond and Effie (Lewis) Morris of Washington , D.C.

She studied piano for many years and after graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School, she attended American University until she married and moved with her husband (Walter) to Columbus, Ohio. She worked as a secretary and also taught piano while her children were young. After moving to Baltimore, MD she participated in programs offered through Peabody Conservatory of Music. She was an avid gardener, planning her flower beds in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and lastly upstate New York. She enjoyed country life and was a member of the Old Chatham Hunt Club. While living in North Chatham she bred and raised Angleo-Trakaner horses. Spending time with horses was a pleasure she and her daughter shared for many years.

Betty was a loving wife, mother and homemaker. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother (known fondly as “Gram”) who so enjoyed spending time with her family. Shortly after moving to Niskayuna to be closer to her grandchildren she discovered she had some talent for visual art. She traveled to Europe as both a tourist and artist. She garnered awards and praise for both her representational and abstract work. She was an active member of the Schenectady Art Society, Colonie Art League, Albany Art Group and the Firehouse Artists where she had many friends. For many years she took pleasure in displaying her art work in the annual Stockade Art Show. She was a past member of the Niskayuna’s Women’s Tennis Association and was active in a local book club and later enjoyed playing bridge at the Niskayuna Senior Center. She was also a member of the Niskayuna and First Reformed church in Schenectady.

In the last year of her life she asked that this be added so folks that knew her might say “Oh I remember her” … she loved music, color and playing tennis. She loved flowers, gentle dawns, birds at her feeders, the goofiness of puppies and the beauty of words. She regretted not planning her life more carefully, not getting a better education. She loved people, smart people, funny people, brave people and kind people…but above all else she loved her family …every one of them.

She is survived by her beloved daughter and son in law, Dale and Terrence Koskowski of Niskayuna, NY and her son and daughter in law, Craig and Bette Bumgarner of Drayden, MD, her grandchildren Michael (Ali) Batcher, Keri (Guadalupe) Martinez, Matt (Amy) Koskowski, Kelton Bumgarner, great grandchildren Benicio and Effie Martinez and Ivy Koskowski.  She was predeceased by her husband of 27 years, Walter Frederick Bumgarner.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205.  Family and friends are welcome to attend in celebration of Betty’s life.

Interment will be in a family plot in Hillsboro Rural Cemetery in Hillsboro, Virginia. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Schenectady City Mission or Animal Protective Foundation

Special thanks to Brianna and Cindy and staff at Home Instead and to Nikki, Heather, Betty Jo and staff at the Grand at Barnwell nursing home.

To leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.cannonfuneral.com.