Elizabeth (Bettie) Wilker Curry

Gates - 5/8/1920-1/30/2018. The Lord reached out his loving arms to embrace Bettie Curry after a brief time in hospice care at Unity Hospital following a sudden illness. Her death capped a nearly 98-year life of service, devotion, and joy. She was born Elizabeth Lenore Wilker in Cleveland, Ohio to Friedrich and Viola (Hundertmark) Wilker, the youngest of three children. She graduated in 1939 from the Vogue School of Fashion Art in Chicago and became a highly skilled dressmaker. She married Robert (Bob) Norris Curry on January 3, 1941 and settled in Chili in 1952, where she was a founding member of the preschool program at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour. She was a fixture in the life of Gates-Chili for over six decades of service to her community, teaching night school classes in sewing and tailoring at Gates Chili High School, and serving in leadership positions in the service of her church. She was widowed May 24, 1986 after 45 years of marriage to Bob Curry, the love of her life, and never remarried. She ran a dressmaking business out of her home on Westside Drive for many years, renowned for the ability to create a wedding dress based only on a magazine picture. Her bridge game was second to none; she was never afraid to try something new or have fun. In addition to her family, community, and church, Bettie was singularly devoted to her friends who seemed to increase in number even as she outlived so many. As the snow-haired matriarch of the Curry family, she maintained her legendary independence until the age of 95, when she moved to The Villages in Greece. There she has lived well in outgoing Christian witness of love and care for others. She was a fashion-forward entrepreneuse, and an alto-singing, pie-baking, butterfly-loving, garden-growing mom, grandma, and great-grandma whose life had many joys, but greatest among these was her family; she raised three children, Robert W. (Bob), Pamela J. (Pam), and Kenneth D. (Ken) and had five grandchildren: Scott, Ryan and Laurel Curry, Jared and Nicholas Davis. She is predeceased by her brothers Frederic (Fred) and Karl Wilker, and survived by her three children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to call Friday, March 9th from 4-7pm at the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home. All are welcome to join the family for coffee at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, 2415 Chili Ave. Saturday, March 10th at 10am preceding her Memorial Service at 11am. A brief reception will immediately follow the service at the church, followed by her interment at Grove Place Cemetery at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour Belltower Fund, 2415 Chili Ave; Rochester, NY 14624.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle from Feb. 4 to Mar. 4, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Curry

Sponsored by Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home - Rochester.

19 Entries

Diane E Hall

January 29, 2022

Bettie Curry was a beautiful lady she was like my Mom after I lost my Mom and Dad and I miss our talks.

Debra Housel

January 21, 2019

Bettie was so beautiful inside and out. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and miss her. She was truly one of a kind.

Karen (Ayers) Bell

March 9, 2018

Mrs. Curry was a big part of our lives growing up in Chili. My mom, Ellie Ayers, worked with her in the nursery school. We also spent many days in their backyard pool. She helped make some of the dresses for my wedding and later made a flower girl dress for my daughter. Thank you for all the memories.

February 26, 2018

Our condolences go out to you ps. 34. 18, 19.

February 26, 2018

Betty was 86 when she made my beautiful period wedding dress. So much talent and what a sweet woman. She'll be missed by many.
Rose R.

February 23, 2018

I am very sorry for your loss. May God give you the strength you need to get through this very difficult time (Phippians 4:13)

Lynn T.

February 22, 2018

My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May prayers and memories comfort you during this difficult time (2Thessalonians 2:16,17).

J A

February 21, 2018

My heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms. Curry during this time of your loss. Ms. Curry has been a blessing to many by passing on her knowledge of sewing to other. Keep the wonderful memories of her and may they fill your heart with happy thoughts. John 6:40

February 19, 2018

May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. (Psalms 116:15)

Greg Ford

February 13, 2018

I am fortunate to be one of what must be a thousand or more of Mrs. Curry's preschool students. I am now 45 years old, and she was my teacher at the Lutheran church from 1976-78. Mrs. Curry is one of a few rare recollections of my earliest childhood memories, and I think that's simply because of who she was as a remarkable person. Even as a small child, I was keenly aware of Mrs. Curry's endless kindness and encouragement, her boundless energy, her frequent and joyful singing with our class, and her mastery of construction paper crafts. And then there was that twinkle in her eye! To a child like me, she seemed magical - and I am positive that her example influenced my career choice later in life when I become a teacher myself, and then a school principal. I wanted to have that kind of positive impact on children myself. There are few better compliments any educator could hope to get, and she earned it.
I hope that she knew, if even wondered at times, the positive impact she had on so, so many people over the years. My story is just one of many and I hope it provides her family and loved ones a reminder that Mrs. Curry's legacy is far, wide, and lasting.
-Greg Ford
Raleigh, North Carolina

Pattie Solomon

February 12, 2018

am so sorry for the love of your love one you have my deepest condolences ,may the God who gives tender merices and comfort,give it at this time to your family and friends.2 cornithans 1:3,4.

Barbara Tabor

February 11, 2018

Both my sons went to The Lutheran Church of Our Savior during the 1970's to be taught by Mrs. Bettie Curry and Mrs Ayers. My youngest Jeff called Bettie Mrs. Curly. Brian would stand in the group pictures with a big smile. They learned Bible passages and sang songs among other things. It was a great time for them, and we remember everyone fondly.

February 8, 2018

Mrs. Curry was my nursery school teacher back in the 1960's and she watched me grow up at church. I'm sorry to hear of her passing. I was blessed to be able to see her when I was home in recent years and I'm glad to have that memory. May her family and friends find comfort in memories of her well-lived life. .....Marcia (Snyder) Gay

February 6, 2018

She was a great nursery school teacher for my son; so patient and loved the kids! Thanks for such a positive start for my Jonathan!

February 5, 2018

I had Mrs.Curry as my Nursery school teacher at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in 1965/66. I can picture her as if it was just yesterday. She was so kind. My Mom sang with her in the Church Choir too. We went to her house a few times and swam in her in-ground pool.She is a very special Lady! I wont be able to attend her Service.missing it by 3 days since Ill still be in Florida hanging out with my Mom+Dad but my Best-ever-Church Friend Sharon Ayers will. Wish I could change my flight home to be there....In my Ol'Church again , Sincerely, Laurie Hopf Nursery school class of 66 !

February 5, 2018

Sharon Dodsworth

February 4, 2018

I am so sorry to hear about your family's loss. Bettie was one of the most amazing women I have ever known!! I have such fond memories of her growing up. I knew her as "Aunt Bettie". She was married to my step-father's brother. We visited her home often. It is because of her christian testimony that I got saved in March of 1976 and grew as a christian. It was her that inspired me to learn how to sew. I have been thinking of her so much lately as I am preparing for our son's wedding in October and I was wishing I still lived in Rochester to ask her help and advice on my Mother of the Bride dress. She had made my mother's for my wedding. Oh my, the tears are flowing and it is hard to comprehend that she is gone, but we will see her again when we get to heaven. It will be a joyous reunion. She had been a light and inspiration to so many people through the years. She is with the Lord now rejoicing and watching over us cheering us to keep fighting the fight until we are all reunited one day.

Carole Rossetti

February 4, 2018

I was one your mother's friends through Thursday bridge! If she had good cards, she couldn't wait until Kenny called that night to tell him. Her face would glow when talking about each one of you. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with all of you. She will be so, so missed.

Diane Hall

February 4, 2018

I was very sad to learn of Bettie's death. She was just like a mother to me after my Mom and Dad died. We had a lot of fun when I stayed with her at her house on Westside Drive when we played games on Saturday night and I would go to church with her and out to breakfast. Rest in Peace my good friend.

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