B. J. Havens

1928 - 2026

BJ Havens, aged 97, passed away peacefully at home on January 23, 2026.

Born Betty Jane Gammel in St. Paul, Minn., on May 31, 1928, she was the youngest child of Danish immigrants Johannes (John) Gammel and Astrid Skonning Gammel. She was raised in St. Paul, graduating from Murray High School in 1946. Throughout her youth she was active in church groups, Danish folk dancing and cultural activities, and choral singing.

She attended Syracuse University, and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1950 with a cross college quadruple major in art, music, theatre, and child development.

After graduation BJ worked at the YWCA of Minneapolis as Teen Department Group Social Worker, and sang professionally as a soprano soloist. She married Robert Wellesley in 1953. After his death from Hodgkin's Disease in 1955 she moved to California where she was hired as the Director of Christian Education at Alhambra Presbyterian Church.

She married Rev. Frank Havens in 1958, moving over the years to Sherman Oaks, San Luis Obispo, Hollister, San Jose, and Los Gatos, Calif.; Houston, Texas; Sayre, Pa.; Delhi, and Queensbury, N.Y.

BJ was active in many parishes, and served in a variety of capacities within each: deacon, elder, children's choir director, Christian education director, nursery school founder and director, bringing her love of art and music to each position.

In 1974 she received her teaching credential, and taught kindergarten at A. L. Kellogg school in Treadwell, N.Y. for 11 years. After moving to Pennsylvania she started a craft business making unique soft dolls, and baby quilts.

An avid craftsperson and reader, BJ was a valued member of many book, quilting, and knitting groups. She loved flowers, baking, singing, reading, storytelling, crosswords, and ice cream.

BJ was a member of AAUW, Pi Beta Phi, and international music sorority Sigma Alpha Iota. She sang and toured with the Santa Clara Chorale, and the Houston Symphony Chorale.

BJ was predeceased by her husband, Frank, and is survived by daughter, Anne and partner, Steve McKeegan; son, Mark and wife, Kym; grandchildren, Emily Hodge, James Hodge (Ashley), Peter Hodge (Sara), Jack Havens, and Sam Havens; nine nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and neighbors.

BJ has donated her remains to the Anatomical Gift Program at Albany Medical College. Memorial donations may be made in her name to Crandall Library's Outreach Department.

A Memorial Service will take place at 3 p.m. on Wed., February 18 at First Presbyterian Church, 400 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY.

BJ would like to thank her family and friends for enriching her life in so very many ways!