Obituary of Bettye C. Haugh

Bettye Corrine (Bickford) Haugh (78) passed away suddenly with a heart attack on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at the J.G. Johnson Nursing Home. Born and raised in Union Valley, Bainbridge, New York, Bettye spent most of her life in the Bainbridge, Norwich, Binghamton area. She was predeceased by her father, William Bethel Bickford, her mother Arlene (Fletcher) Bell, and her step-father, Clarence Bell. She also was predeceased by a young sister, Beverly, who died in infancy, her sister-in-law, Katherine Bickford, and her ex-husband, Claude Haugh. Bettye was a creative, loving and sometimes mischievous soul who loved to make other people laugh. Anytime she could reach out a helping hand, she was willing and ready to do so. After graduating from Bainbridge High School and then the Ridley-Lowell Business School in Binghamton, she became a secretary for the Binghamton State Hospital. Later she worked at Bordon's in Bainbridge for several years. When Bordon's closed, she was hired as a Customer Service Representative with NYSEG in Norwich and eventually transferred to the NYSEG office in Vestal, NY. While in the Norwich NYSEG office and as a volunteer at the Chenango Memorial Hospital, she would delight and encourage people with her creative bulletin boards and fun-loving spirit. She was also proud of her Bickford family having 70 years of a Kark family reunion, of which she was secretary and would create cute name cards and picture albums each year. Bettye is survived by her sister, Virginia (David) Chew in North Carolina, her brother, Darwin Bickford in Arkansas, a special niece and nephews, Sulynn Anderson McDaniel, Jay (Louann) Bickford, Scott (Crystal) Bickford and Tory Chew, as well as several great nephews and nieces. She is also survived by and was extremely grateful to her special friend, Elizabeth (Leorie) Lamoreaux and to Gene Rapuzzi, who has been her closest love for many years. Bettye's fun-loving and caring spirit made her someone who was loved by all. A celebration of life service will be held in the fall. Donations in Bettye's name can be made to the Union Valley Church, c/o Lynn Martin, 405 Cooper Schoolhouse Road, Bainbridge, New York 13733. Share condolences and memories with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.