Obituary of Bette Hornbeck

STAMFORD Bette Hornbeck, 78, of 138 W. Main St., Stamford, went to the loving arms of Jesus, her Savior, on March 12, 2012, at her residence. Bette was born July 16, 1933 in Stamford, the daughter of Lenna LeRoy North McNaughton and Carl North, Sr. Bette met the love of her life, Frank Hornbeck, at age 15 while roller skating at the Churchill Gym in Stamford. They married July 21, 1951, just one month after Bette graduated from Stamford Central. They enjoyed 60 plus years of devotion to one another. A life-long resident of the Stamford/Harpersfield area, Bette was a homemaker, occasionally working outside the home. She was a very accomplished cook who loved to entertain. She looked for reasons to have company in and put on a big spread. Through the years, over so many of these meals, many great friendships were nurtured. Bette also enjoyed crocheting, sewing quilts, and reading. Following Frank's retirement, they enjoyed 10 winters in the Sanford, FL, area, making many new friends and experiencing southern senior living. Bette was a member of the Stamford Baptist Church, where during her healthy years, she used her gift of cooking and hospitality to serve up annual senior luncheons, snacks at VBS, and kept all the staff and campers fed during summer camp at the Emmanuel Conference Center in Maryland, NY. Bette's life and activities revolved around her family and her faith, both of which she valued greatly. She will be missed by so many wonderful friends, too numerous to list. She is survived by her devoted husband, Frank; and their 4 children, Tom and Pat Hornbeck of Harpersfield, Joe and Deb Hornbeck of Jefferson, Mariellen and Chip Myers, Stamford, and John and Sheila Hornbeck of Wirtz, VA; 9 grandchildren, Nancy and James Milea, Becky and Will Terry, Lisa and Wayland Jester, and Chad Hornbeck, all of Stamford, Jason and Hannah Hornbeck of Decatur, Heather Hornbeck of Jefferson, Frank D. Hornbeck, US NAVY, Mississippi, Nicole and Lynn Hornbeck of Wirtz, VA; step grandchildren, Brian Wehmeyer of Jefferson, Jennifer Wehmeyer of Stamford, and James McCune of Virginia; her great grandchildren, Brooke, Christi, Kylee, Thomas, Kendra, and Savannah. She is also survived by her brothers, Carl and Noreen North, Jr. of Casselbury, FL, and David North of Alaska; a sister in law Marian Smith of Amsterdam; a brother in law Joseph and Lucille Carretta of Springfield, Virginia. Bette was blessed with many nieces and nephews, all of whom she held special in her heart, Diane, David, Wayne, Nicci, Henry, Maria, Christopher, and Heather. She is also survived by cousins and many great nieces and nephews as well. Special thanks to Catskill Area Hospice of Delhi and their team of caregivers. YOU make a DIFFERENCE!!! Calling hours will take place on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart. A funeral service will take place on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 11 a.m., at the Stamford Baptist Church, Stamford, with Rev. Waylen O. Bray officiating. Burial will be in the Harpersfield Cemetery, Harpersfield, following the service. Contributions in Bette's memory can be made to the Stamford Baptist Church, PO Box 358, Stamford, NY 12167 or Catskill Area Hospice, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820. Condolences can be left for the family online at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are by the MacArthur Funeral Home of Hobart.