After 99 ½ years filled with love, laughter, and memories that spanned generations, Betty Leila Stevens passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026 at Canton Potsdam Hospital with her loving family by her side. Calling hours were held on Sunday February 22, 2026 from 1 to 3 PM and again from 12 to 1 PM on Monday February 23, 2026 at Frary Funeral Home, 33 Park Street, Gouverneur. A funeral service was held on Monday February 23, 2026 at 1PM with Pastor Martha Helmer officiating, followed by burial in East Riverside Cemetery in Gouverneur. Betty celebrated nearly a century of life and leaves behind a legacy of family, traditions, laughter, and love.
Betty was born on July 29, 1926 in Gouverneur, the fifth child of Frank and Grace (Powers) Walrath, she was the last of her immediate family to leave this earth. She had four sisters and four brothers. The firstborn in the family was her oldest sister, Hilda Helena (Woodard Doyle), then came brothers Ward Franklin, Glen William, and Robert Everett. Then Betty Leila arrived in the summer of 1926. She was followed by her sisters Ella May (Paro), Jane Alice (Murdie), and Leona Marjorie (Hurlbut). The last born in the family was her youngest brother, Keith Floyd. Betty is predeceased by loving husband Gordon, and her beloved grandchildren, Lori Anne Willmart, Neil Thomas Willmart Jr., Yorr Braxton Marchione, and Brennan Devon Stevens.
Betty’s family lived on the Gulf Road in Fowler, where she grew up surrounded by a large and close-knit family. Betty attended the two-room schoolhouse in Fowler through the eighth grade. She then went on to Gouverneur High School, graduating in 1944. On October 16, 1948 Betty married Gordon Anson Stevens, son of Anson and Olga (Mack) Stevens, in Royal Oak, Michigan at the Methodist Church. Betty and Gordon settled in Gouverneur, where they raised five children together, Linda Sue (Tom) Willmart, Donald Aaron (Sue), Bernard Alan (Joy), Penelope Grace (Mike) Marchione, and Gordon “Rufus” Anson Jr. (Karen). Betty was blessed with 17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren. She was also a beloved aunt to her many nieces and nephews. In her youth, Betty worked for about year at Letchworth, a former state-run institution for people with developmental disabilities. After returning home, she worked at Newberry’s store and also babysat children around town. After marrying Gordon she became a stay-at- home mom, devoting her days to caring for her children and family. In their later years Betty and Gordon were quite the square dancers and were proud members of the “Promanators,” often traveling around to dance at events and parades. One of Betty’s fondest memories was their cross-country RV trip to Mount Rushmore.
Over the last several years Betty enjoyed going on many “adventure quests”, one of her favorites being a visit to Santa’s Workshop, where she even kissed Santa! Betty loved bird watching, especially the chickadees and bluebirds, and she eagerly awaited the return of the robins each spring, along with the joy of someone picking her the “first” dandelion. Betty enjoyed the cherished time spent with her family and grandchildren. Betty also enjoyed playing card games and was especially good at Golf, Gotcha, Whirlpool, Phase 10, and Flinch. She might have claimed to not remember how to play but she always managed to come away with the win hand. She also enjoyed a good game of Dominoes. As an avid puzzler, Betty put together more puzzles than could ever be counted, she was often heard saying “that don’t go there neither” as she searched for the right pieces. She also enjoyed cross stitching, coloring, reading, and watching television and movies. She enjoyed making crafts and creating Christmas gifts for her family through the years.
Betty leaves behind a family who will always love and miss her and who will forever remember her kind and gentle soul, with her own dash of sass and spitfire thrown in. She had the best giggle, a wonderful sense of humor and loved being with her family. Her love will continue to live on through the many generations she leaves behind, and her memory will forever be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.
Memorial donations in Betty’s memory may be made to the Potsdam Volunteer Rescue Squad or to the Yorr Marchione Scholarship at Harrisville Central School.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.fraryfuneralhome.com.