Bettina “Betty” Trapani – (101) – of 91 River St., Hornell, died Saturday morning (August 2, 2014) at McAuley Manor, where she had resided for the past 11 months.
A native & lifelong resident of Hornell, she was born March 20, 1913 and was the daughter of Peter & Angeline (Cusimano) Grillo.
Betty was a graduate of St. Ann’s School, a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. She had been a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Ladies of Columbus, Ladies Auxiliary of the Sons of Italy and the Women of the Moose.
Bettina was employed as a seamstress at the former Merrell Hosiery for 27 years. In her younger years she was an avid bowler and belonged to several women’s bowling leagues.
She was married on April 11, 1953 to Joseph “Pep” Trapani who died December 16, 2000. She was also preceded in death by 1 sister, Anna Galbo; 3 brothers, Peter Grillo, James Grillo and Andrew Grillo; her step-daughter, Roseanne Koury.
Surviving are; 1 step-son, Paul (Jean) Trapani of Fayettville, PA; several step-grandchildren; step great-grandchildren; nieces & nephews.
The family of Bettina “Betty” Trapani will receive friends on Wednesday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at on Thursday at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Ann’s Cemetery.
Betty’s family request that memorial contributions in her name be made to either Our Lady of the Valley, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell, NY or to St. Ann’s Academy, PO Box 446, Hornell, NY 14843 . Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home or click here to print a form.
A very sincere “Thank You” to the entire second floor nursing and support staff at McAuley Manor. You immediately embraced Bettina a one of your own and gave her exceptional care as a resident. The family appreciates the wonderful effort you demonstrated day after day.
Simple words cannot express how much we will miss our wonderful Aunt Betty. We know she is flying with the angels. Every time we came to Hornell for a visit, she would open her home and her oven for us. She always over fed us , then we would pass out on the couch from over eating and that made her smile. She taught Nick how to make homemade pasta and I still use her pizzelle recipe all the time. We will miss her laughter.
Aunt Betty will be missed so very much. She was such a beautiful , caring and classy woman. She opened her home to so many family members and friends over the years and shared her love of cooking with everyone she came in contact with. You always left her home with a full stomach! One of the days that I will treasure most is the day that I spent with her learning how to cook many of her “signature” dishes. Heaven has just received an extra special angel. Aunt Betty will be greatly missed!
What a unique and inspiring woman! Think of the fanfare that must be in progress, welcoming this great soul back home. She used her talents for good: she cooked, she gave, and she cared for others her whole life. She made a home that felt like home and welcomed all. No one ever left hungry. After the first couple of visits, you learned that you had to pace yourself: pasta wasn’t the meal; it was just the starter. The courses kept on coming! She would chuckle watching big strapping men stagger away from her table and pass out on the couch and recliner in her living room. When they found a space, they’d be back for cake, ice cream, cookies, coffee… and somehow, before you left, everything was cleaned up and put away! How did she do it?
If you gave a compliment, she turned and gave it to God and thanked Him for her strength. She counted her blessings. She spent hours every day in prayer. She was a living lesson in faith and devotion. All we saw, all she gave, was based on an inner spiritual foundation. From her small corner of the world, she lived the biggest truths of a spiritual life. We were lucky to have her for as long as we did.