Arkport, NY
Betty C. Dresser – age 81 of Oak Hill St., Arkport, died on June 8, 2025, at home after having one last “great day” going out for ice cream with her great grandchildren, watching them play in the mud puddles with ice cream cones in their hand.
Born in Hornell on March 30, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Floyd & Aletha “Ruth” (Bossard) Kame.
A lifelong resident of Arkport, Betty attended Arkport Central School and the Continental School of Beauty. As a licensed cosmetologist, she opened “Betty’s Beauty Bar in her home in Arkport. Betty was always up to giving someone a haircut! On August 18, 1962, she married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Dresser with whom she shared 56 wonderful years before his passing on December 12, 2018.
Betty was a cosmetologist by trade, she worked at the Hornell Area Humane Society for many years and had a love for cats, but her true passion was her family. Betty loved watching children. Betty cared for her nieces, nephews, neighbor children, and her grandchildren. Betty was happiest when children were in her home and she could bake them pies, cake, and cookies. Betty was an amazing baker and cook and was behind many of the meals served at her grandson’s wine bar – The Brute.
Betty was the type of mom who traveled to her son Steve’s professional motorcycle events, supported Wendy’s horse, dog, and cat adventures, traveled to every sports event her grandchildren had and cheered with gusto in the stands.
In addition to her beloved husband, Betty was preceded in death by two brothers, Larry Kame & Vincent Kame, a niece Terry Kame, three nephews Randy Tychi, Tim Tychi, and Raymond Tychi.
Betty leaves behind her family: Steve & Nicole Dresser, Danica Dresser, Hannah Dresser, Wendy & Mark Recktenwald, Justin & Kyleigh Recktenwald, Hudson, Cody & Katie Recktenwald, Colton and new baby boy coming in July, Julie & Gordy Koester, Jenna Koester, John Koester & Brittany Reinard, Nate and Nicolle Matthews, Nolan Matthews, Nessa Matthews, Nevelyn Matthews, and Nixon Matthews. Betty will be leaving behind her cat Stanley, and a feral colony she cared for in her barn. Betty leaves her sister, Irene Tychi, two sisters-in-law, Patricia Kame and JoAnn Kame, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Her grandchildren must know how proud she was of each of them. She loved her time spent with her family and had great memories of the Bossard Cabin, Tychi farm, and times spent with family at our own farm winery.
Betty had one wish as she battled Super Nuclear Palsey- a rare form of Parkinson’s. She wanted to stay in her home, in the house her father built. This would not have been possible without the amazing health care professionals who loved her as much as the rest of us did. We owe so much gratitude to Thelma Canfield, Amy Wilhelm, Cassie Feenaughty, Kat Harrick, Kristen Quinlin, RayAnn Mann, Sasha Jones, Sherry Schneider, Yulanda Wilhelm, Ava Mayer, Emily Webster, Regan Hooker, and Nikki Liberati. These women became both friends and family to us all. Special thank you to Care First and Dr. Kluger URMC, and Canisteo Valley Family Practice. A special thank you to Jodi Testani who came to the house to cut her hair.
The family of Betty C. Dresser will receive friends on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY where funeral services will be held at the conclusion of calling hours at 11:00 AM with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Heritage Hill Cemetery, Arkport.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betty’s name may be made to the Hornell Area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843. Memorial forms will be available at the funeral home.
To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com or www.facebook.com/dagonfuneralhome.