Elizabeth "Betty" (Ryan) Zurawicki

Betty was born on January 13, 1928, in The Bronx, New York, to Stephen and Kathleen (Gill) Ryan. She grew up surrounded by family, faith, and strong roots, sharing her childhood with her sister, brother and many cousins.

She attended St. Raymond’s Catholic School in the Bronx alongside her sister and cousins. Betty was especially proud of her father, who worked for The Starrett Brothers, the builders of the Empire State Building. Some of her fondest early memories came from spending two years in Alexandria, Virginia, where she rode the subway with soldiers, sailors, and Marines stationed in the nation’s capital during World War II. Ever spirited, she and her sister enjoyed flirting with “the boys,” and Betty later wrote many uplifting letters to servicemen overseas.

After returning to the Bronx, Betty attended Fordham University for a time. What began as summer visits to Amsterdam, New York, eventually became permanent when her family moved upstate near her uncle’s farm on Widow Susan Road. It was there that she met the love of her life, John Zurawicki. Together they married and built a home in Perth, New York, raising their three children.

Betty was deeply involved in her community. She played an active role in the Town of Perth’s Bicentennial celebrations, working tirelessly with her dear friend Sylvia Zierak to ensure the town and cemetery looked their very best. A lifelong learner, Betty earned her Associate Degree from Fulton-Montgomery Community College (FMCC) and later served as a substitute teacher in the Perth–Broadalbin School District.

She most enjoyed gardening, exploring the acreage around her home, traveling, and in her younger years, square dancing. Many nieces fondly remember sharing cups of tea with Aunt Betty, while nephews recall receiving a knowing wink when tea wasn’t quite their interest.

Betty was most proud of her grandchildren, both near and far. She traveled often to visit her two grandsons who lived around the world due to their father’s military service, while cherishing frequent visits with the grandchildren who lived closer to home.

A devoted Catholic, Betty was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Amsterdam and ensured her children received a Catholic education, attending St. Mary’s Institute (SMI) and Bishop Scully High School.

Betty is survived by her daughter Betty Sue Kearney and her husband Frank; grandsons Dan Kearney and his wife Lauren, and their sons Daniel and Jackson; Sean Kearney and his wife Mary Katherine, and their son Quinn; her daughter-in-law Lisa Zurawicki; grandson Ryan Zurawicki; granddaughter Emma Nuemann; her sister-in-law Roxann Ryan; and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Stephen and Kathleen Ryan; her husband John; her sister Mickey (Kathleen) Lang; her brother Tinker (Stephen) Ryan; her beloved children Bobbie Jean; and Johnny.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date.

Betty will be remembered for her warmth, wit, devotion to family and faith, and the quiet strength with which she lived her long and full life.