Elizabeth E. Poyer Sayre

Elizabeth E. Poyer Sayre of Newfield passed away peacefully at home on August 11, 2025.

Born on July 21, 1938, in Ithaca, New York, she was the daughter of the late Gerald Shoemaker and Gladys Fish. Growing up in the Ithaca area, Betty left school early to support herself beginning her career at Newberry's in Ithaca. She married the late Ronald Poyer at age 18. She married Charles “Bud” Sayre in 1990.

After Newberry’s she worked in various stores, co-owned a tavern in the 1970s, owned a ceramic shop, and worked in a diner. She eventually retired from P&C Fresh in Ithaca.

Her quietness, sweetness and generosity were hallmarks of her character. Betty loved creating things – food to share and handmade gifts. She loved to spend time with family and friends and to travel. She enjoyed camping, being on the lake and music.

Betty is survived by her loving daughter, Rhonda Poyer; bonus children Ebony Coleman, Josanne Callahan, Laura (Stanton) Rosenthal, Charlene (David) Pruitt, Stacey Cummings, and Chad Sayre; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, M. Elaine Cole and Laura (Al) Canova; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Sayre, her stepfather, Herbert "Jake" Oltz; and her siblings, Robert and Gerald Shoemaker, and Marguerite Rounds.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00pm on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at the Jacksonville Methodist Church, 1869 Trumansburg Road, Jacksonville, NY. A reception will follow the service at the church.

The family asks those that would like to make a contribution in Betty's memory to kindly consider donating to the Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard, PO Box 608, Ithaca, NY 14581 (ithacakitchencupboard.org) or a local charity of your choice.