Betty L. Dawley

MADRID: Betty L Dawley, 83 from Madrid passed away peacefully at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton, NY on Monday, September 22nd, 2025. The family has entrusted the care and arrangements with Phillips Memorial Home in Madrid. Callings hours for Betty will be held at the United Church of Madrid on Friday September 26, 2025, from 2:00pm until time of funeral services at 4:00pm with Lay minister Kathy Felix officiating.
Betty was born in Massena, NY on March 23, 1942 the daughter of Donald and Emma (Hitsman) Rupert. She graduated early from Madrid High School at the age of 16. In 1960 she married Harold Dawley. That marriage ended in divorce in 1984. Later she had a loving relationship with Robert Mayette until his passing in 2011.
After high school she attended Massena Business School and began her secretarial career with Dr. Samuel Livingston of Madrid. In 1968 she became secretary to the Madrid Elementary Principal where she continued into the new Madrid-Waddington Elementary school when it opened in 1985. She then became secretary to the Madrid-Wadding District Superintendent until her retirement in 2006. Betty always loved the children in school and always kept drawers full of candy and money in case someone was short for lunch or just needed a little something.
Betty leaves behind her brother David Rupert and 3 children, Kerrie (Tony) Cooper, Kathy (Terry) Pike, and David (Martina) Dawley. In addition she has 6 grandchildren, Jessica (Nik) Osypiewski, Emily (Bryan) Matson, Monika (Jake) Phipps, Mickey Damron and Riley and Jodi Dawley and 6 beautiful great-grandchildren that she loved dearly, Gabriel, Mila and Kallie Osypiewski, Wyatt Matson and Ayla and Ace Phipps. She also had a close relationship to multiple nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents and siblings, Wanda Hawkins, Donald (Bud) Rupert, Bonnie Rupert, Dale Rupert and Gary Rupert.
To her grandkids and all their friends, she was nana. She dedicated her entire life to being nana. Her candy drawer from school turned into a candy drawer at home after she retired. She always had to have chocolate to share with anyone who visited her, especially her great grandkids who she said never had too much. She was a lover of animals, she always had treats for the dogs and seeds for the birds. Later in life, you could find her wheeling her great grandkids around in her wheelchair, letting them push her in it, and making the perfect special effect sounds when they would play with the controls on her bed. And let's not forget keeping the nursing home staff on their toes! Her family was her life. The smile on her face when anyone would visit would be ear to ear our love and genuine happiness. Her walls in her home were lined with photos of everyone she loved, and her counter tops held mason jars filled with her favorite dandelions the kids would pick her. She was always one to see the good in people and loved with her whole heart. She lived by her own rules even if that meant dinner at 9am, lights out at 1pm and up for some midnight solitaire. We will love you forever nana and we hope Heaven knows how to perfectly burn your hot dogs.
Memorial contributions can be made to Madrid Rescue Squad, PO Box 129, Madrid, NY 13660, or United Church of Madrid, PO Box 174 Madrid, NY 13660. Online condolences, memories, photos and memorial trees may be shared with the family by visiting, www.PhillipsMemorial.com