Bettejane L. Tully Mahoney, 96, formerly of Oswego, passed away peacefully in her sleep in her own bed, in her room at her daughter's house on Thursday, November 30, 2023, surrounded by photographs of her life, family and friends after having her favorite vanilla bean ice cream and watching her favorite movie "The Jolson Story" the day before. She has happily resided for the last six years at the home of her daughter and son-in-law Cynthia Lee Mahoney Storch and Eric John Storch in Denver, CO with her 3 grandsons and the family pets including a 90 gallon tank of Oscar fish she loved to sit and watch and Margaret the Rescue Cockatoo she fed crackers to. Leo Leo the bloodhound, 3 young cats Cassandra, Athena & Pierre and her beloved 3 year old Scottish Terrier MacTavish (Mackie) would take turns watching over her, sleeping on or beside her bed.

Bettejane was the daughter of the late Bertram N. (1979) and Grace M. Needham (1984) Tully of 78 W. 8th St. Oswego, the house she was both born and grew up in. She was also the granddaughter of John R. Tully, a prominent alderman for the 4th ward in the 1930s. She was the widow of the late Leo A. Mahoney (2006), a well known auto mechanic and former proprietor of the Mobil Station on W. 7Th & Bridge, which they ran together from 1959 through the early 1970s. They bought the house across the street from her parents on the corner, 97 W. Seneca St. where she lived for over 50 years.

Mrs. Mahoney was a 36 year veteran teacher for the State of New York, becoming the longest 3rd grade teacher at Fairgrieve Elementary School in Fulton until her retirement in 1985. She was an intense advocate for the fair and equal education for girls of all skin colors and denominations during her tenure and a constant ambassador for a formal lunch room cafeteria at the school. Her classroom #113 which she had for 35 years was demolished upon her retirement to finally build the cafeteria she fought so long for. She adored the irony and felt both of these were her greatest achievements in education politics.

She was a graduate of the Class of 1949 at Oswego State Teachers College, later renamed SUNY at Oswego, with a K-12 Bachelor of Education. She was both a second generation teacher and graduate of the college. She inspired ALL of the next generation of her family to become teachers and pursue higher education for themselves and their children. Mrs. Mahoney was also a member of the New York State Retired Teachers Association, Oswego County Retired Teachers Association, Fulton Retired Teachers Association and Oswego Retired Teachers Association.

A very involved member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, she sang 1st alto in the Choir for over 50 years as both harmony and soloist, served on the Vestry, was a lay reader, a Eucharistic Minister and on several committees. She had also been an active member of the choirs of St. Mary's, St. Paul's Ecumenical and Elk's Memorial. In later years she would go out to sing and listen to karaoke with her daughter, son-in-law and grandsons, all of whom she inspired and helped teach to be confident singers as well. She also played the piano. She was a member of the Oswego Hospital Auxiliary, a Friend of the Oswego Library and a 50+ year member of the Oswego Elk's Women's Auxiliary.

Bettejane, like her Mother Grace, was the keeper of family stories. She passed down many stories to all of her family who would listen and was the purveyor of much family information. Always ready to tell a story, she told her final ones to 2 of her cousin's children in September after entering the Dignity Hospice of Denver's at-home care program. She passed this love of family stories down to her daughter and 7 years ago learned something she didn't know. Genealogical research proved she was descended from one of the founding and more genealogically famous members of the Dutch Colony of New Amsterdam (New York City) named Abraham Van Dusen through her mother's side, making her blood related to 2 U.S. Presidents: Martin Van Buren and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Upon learning this she said, "I never knew all those years ago listening to his Fireside Chats as President during the war [WWII], I was actually listening to a long lost cousin! I wish Mom had known."

Due to her incredible love of children she'd be pleased to be survived by so many members of both her immediate and extended family: her daughter and son-in-law Cynthia & Eric, three grandsons, Paul Richard Demidio, Ross David Demidio and Jackson Leoram Storch, of Denver, as well as 3 nieces (Judy, Julie & Deborah), 6 grand nephews, 1 grand niece, 3 great grand nieces and 3 great grand nephews from both Tully and Mahoney sides of the family whom she loved so dearly. She is further survived by 4 (Jean, Nancy, Janet & John) of her 2 beloved 1st cousins William and Frederick Tully's children, who were like brothers to her. She will be missed by her dear friends: Judy Wallace, Theresa Rookey, Faye Mason and Edward Phillips.  At her passing, she was the Grande Dame of 5 living generations of the Tully family. She was proud to have been Godmother to the next generation of children from her brother and both cousins. She adored each and every child from all generations on both sides of the family and her students as a gift from Heaven.

After living such a long, rich and full life, in addition to both of her Parents, her Mother and Father in-law (Marietta E. & Daniel F.) and her beloved husband Leo, she was sadly predeceased by 3 children: her son David Leo Mahoney (1966), cousin Elaine Ann Tully (1949) (Frederick & Leta) and sister Julia Edith Tully (1925). Bettejane was named after her sister's doll which has been passed down through the family to today.

She was the last of her generation and predeceased by her brother Robert N. Tully (1987) (Marjorie [Midge] J.) and cousins William J. Tully (1986) (Margaret [Peg] S.), Frederick J. Tully (1985) (Leta R.) and by Sisters-in-law Ella Mae Mahoney Taft (1964) (George R.), Hazel F. Mahoney Wilson (1999) (Harold C.) and Eileen A. Mahoney McCarthy (2022) (John [Jack] F.) all their husbands and wives and many of her teacher, church, neighborhood and classmate friends.

To her sorrow, she was also predeceased by members of the next 2 generations: Goddaughter Joan M. Tully Foster (2005) (Carlton A.), Nephew-in-Law John JJ Healy (2019) (Judy A. Taft), Nephew Daniel F. Mahoney II (2020) (Sue M.), Grand Nephew Anthony J. Yacono (2021) (Anthony & Julie A. McCarthy Yacono) and recently Nephew/Godson James Richard Tully (Deborah A.) (2023) in February. She is surely in their loving and welcoming arms now and is doting on them as only she could. Those of us remaining know that she will be there to welcome us when it is our turn.

We, family, friends and students, though left behind, will remember her and all she taught us. Teacher, Musician, Singer, Storyteller, Family Historian, Grande Dame. All she saw in her long life she left in our memories and hearts. With her passing, the WWII generation has almost all left us. They were a generation like no other. "We shall not see their like [or hers] again."

Memorial Services will take place 11AM Saturday June 1, 2024 at the Church of the Resurrection.

Burial will be in Rural Cemetery beside her beloved husband Leo.

Bettejane's family would like to make special note of the incredible care given to us all by the members of Dignity Hospice of Denver especially those who came to our home to lovingly care for her to the end: Beth, Cassandra, Maria, Marley, Starr, Laura, Michael and Caroline. We can't thank you enough for all the loving care and help you gave when we needed it the most.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be sent to: Dignity Hospice of Denver

400 E. 84th Ave W-202 Thornton, CO 80229. Make checks out to: Dignity Hospice of Denver with Bettejane Mahoney in the memo.

Arrangements are by the Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home.