Betty Lou Leonard

1940 - 2021

Betty Lou (Stack) Leonard 1940 - 2021
TOWN OF SALISBURY, NY - Betty Lou (Stack) Leonard, 80, of the Town of Salisbury, NY, passed away peacefully on Sunday night, January 17, 2021 at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, New Hartford, NY, with her loving children by her side.
She was born on October 6, 1940, in Salisbury, NY and was the daughter of the late Wendell and Flossie (Moore) Cool. Betty Lou was educated at Salisbury and Stratford in one-room school houses and received her final and formal education at Dolgeville Central School. She loved to share stories of attending the one-room schoolhouses and in particular, Paper Mill School on Dairy Hill Road, Salisbury.
Betty took great pride in being a homemaker for her eight children. She turned her love of cooking, baking and caring for others, into a beloved career as a Dietary Cook at the former Van Allen Nursing Home, Little Falls, NY. She retired after many years of service. She was a member of the Salisbury Methodist Church.
Betty was a loving, sweet and kind mother, yet tough as nails when needed. She had a soft spot for her boys, tending to spoil them as needed. They had her undivided attention and forgiving love. Betty raised her girls to be strong, independent women, yet to walk alongside their husbands in work and play. Being raised by a strong woman, physically, mentally and spiritually is one of the greatest gifts she could have given all eight of her children. She enjoyed the simple things in life, cooking and baking, gardening, mowing her lawn, berry picking and canning the fruits of her labor. Betty believed in old school values, hard work, honor your mother and father, respect family time, eat together and give as much as you can to those in need. When her children were young, her favorite time of year was summer vacation, when all her children would be home with her. She continued this with taking loving care of many of her grandchildren. It was a rare day when her kitchen wasn't full of smells of goodness, cooking, kids running around and adults packed at the table.
She is survived by her beloved children, Edward Stack and his companion, Debbie, of Newport, NY, Karen Ferguson and her companion, John, of Buffalo, WY, Mary Skuza, of Dolgeville, NY, Tina Gorinshek and her husband, Tag, of Little Falls, NY, Joseph Stack and his companion, Linda, of Salisbury, NY, Melissa Hull and her husband, Jamie, of Salisbury, NY and Gary Lamphere, Jr., of Salisbury, NY; 22 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Daisy Sterusky and her companion, Warren Lanphere, of Salisbury, NY and Wendy Tallman, of Little Falls, NY; one brother, Gregory Cool and his wife, Linda, of Minot, ND; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Betty was predeceased by her beloved sons, an infant, Brian Lamphere and Bradley Lamphere; one grandson, Joseph Stack, Jr.; a sister, Barbara Smith; and two sons-in-law, Richard Lamphere, Sr. and Marc Skuza.
In keeping with family wishes, all immediate services for Betty will be private. A public graveside service will be held in Salisbury Rural Cemetery in the spring at a time to be announced.
The family is being cared for by Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, NY.
Betty shared a special bond with her grandson, Elisha Hull and his girlfriend, Amanda Whittaker. While they provided care for her, they benefited just as much by being able to now carry precious memories with them for a life time. The family would like to give special thanks to Betty Jean Cool, her loving caregiver, who provided Betty with the care that allowed her to stay in her home of 55 years.
Please consider memorial contributions for the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 65, Salisbury Center, NY 13454.
To leave a message of sympathy for the family of Betty L. Leonard, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall.