Betty (Elizabeth Jane) Krech, age 86, passed away in the evening on Friday May 16th, at Mercy House in Endicott, after a six-month struggle with Leukemia. She is survived by her fur children, Mandy, Petey, Posie and Fifi; children, Keith, Karen, Claudete and Liza; Grandchildren, Simon and Zach; her former sister-in law, Jackie; her niece and nephews, Kent(Nicole), Doug, Kim(Paul) and Steve(Meghan) and their children; current sister in law, Marie; and so many cherished, "adopted" family members who lovingly referred to her as Mom too numerous to list. Betty was predeceased by her late husband Karl; brother-in-law, Pete; her parents and parents- in- law; and cousins, Karl and Ruthann.

Betty was born at Ideal Hospital and grew up in the Apalachin area. She attended Hartwick College and was a member of Sigma Alpha Iota sorority. She was initiated on May 27, 1957 by Beta Omicron Chapter at Hartwick College, where she studied music education and voice. She later affiliated with the Tri-Cities Alumnae Chapter, which was based near the Binghamton/Johnson City/Endicott area in NY. She also served as the area Province Officer in 1992-1993, in charge of overseeing local college and alumni chapters, and attended the SAI National Convention in Cincinnati, OH in August 1993. She has been a longstanding supporter of our SAI Philanthropies with monthly donations for the outreach and grant projects, and is an Emeritus member of SAI, having been active for over 50 years. She performed with Summer Savoyards, The Musical Theatre of Brome, and at many churches around the world as a classical soprano. She also volunteered with WSKG to share her love of classical music.

Betty served her local church, the Susquehanna Association, and the New York Conference in many roles, always giving of herself to the work of the church. She was active with United Church of Christ (UCC) and UCC Women for decades, winning several awards documenting her leadership and heart for service from the Broome County Council of Churches on improving the status of women, and even served on the Board of Directors for many years, even in planning its annual retreat; awarded for her service also from The UCC General Synod Coordinating Center for Women, the New York Conference Ecumenical Relations from the New York Conference UCC where she was secretary of the conference and winning Lay Person of the year around 2009. She has been an active member of First Congregational Church, Maine Federated church over the years and most recently Our Savior Lutheran Church.

In her free time, she taught herself photography and showed her work in many shows and locations throughout the tristate area and she traveled the world, her favorites going to Alaska, through Europe and to South America.

Services will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 31 at 11:00 am with a visitation from 10:00-11:00 before the service. Burial will be made at Maine Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BCHS, Wolf Haven Sanctuary and Mercy House.