Grace E. "Betty" Braisted

SILVER BAY, N.Y. — Grace E. "Betty" (Densmore) Braisted, 88, of Silver Bay, passed away Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at the Heritage Commons Nursing Home in Ticonderoga.

She was born Aug. 25, 1921, at the Valley View Farm in South Ticonderoga, the daughter of Westill and Louise (Shepard) Densmore.

Betty enjoyed her life on the farm, where she lived until she graduated from Ticonderoga High School in 1938. For a time after graduating from high school, inspired by her brother's love of flying and possibly by the pilots of World War II, they both took flying lessons, bought a small plane and made solo flights out of the Westport Airfield. Unfortunately, their plane was stolen and crashed and that was the end of her flying adventures.

During World War II, Betty was trained by the U.S. Weather Bureau and was stationed in Pittsburgh and Albany.

After the war, in 1946, she married John M. Braisted of Silver Bay, who predeceased her in 2005.

She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Ticonderoga and enjoyed singing in the choir and playing in the hand bell choir.

Betty retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1985, after many years of service at the Silver Bay Post Office, working with her long-time friend and postmaster, Ethel Andrus.

All her life, Betty loved music, especially barbershop singing and was active in several area choruses and quartets, including chapters in Ticonderoga, Plattsburgh and Glens Falls and traveled with her choruses to many regional competitions.

Fond memories include family trips in the fall to Cape Cod and Maine, some trips to Florida and time spent at the family dock in Oneida Bay in the summers.

But by far, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren as they grew from infants to young adults and their visits always continued to brighten her days.

Survivors include two daughters, Kathryn L. Santaniello and her husband Sal of Silver Bay and their children, Ted, SJ and Teri and their families; and Mary A. Kaier and her husband Bill of Queensbury and their children, Jeff and Andy; and one son, James W. Braisted and his wife Erica of Silver Bay and their children, Tasha, Treva, Toni and Tara and families. She is also survived by her brother, Floyd Densmore of Ticonderoga and his children, Alan, Warren, Gray and Peggy and their families.

Relatives and friends may call Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home, 11 Algonkin St., Ticonderoga.

A funeral service will take place Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Ticonderoga, with the Rev. Scott Tyler, pastor, officiating.

Interment will follow at the family plot of the Valley View Cemetery in South Ticonderoga.

Donations in Betty's name may be made to Hague Fire Department, Hague, NY 12836.