Obituary of Ella Catherine Packard

Ella "Betsy" Hurd, 67, of Candor, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 23, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born in West Palm Beach, Florida on August 14, 1956, during "Hurricane Betsy", her daddy said she came in like a storm and started calling her "Betsy". Growing up, Betsy and her parents lived throughout the US, and even in Okinawa, as they moved from one Air Force base to another. The two places she considered "home" were Big Stone Gap, VA and Willseyville, NY where her two sets of grandparents lived. Eventually her dad retired from the Air Force and her family settled in Willseyville. Betsy graduated from Candor High School and enjoyed her two careers, first as a home day care provider and later a teller with Tioga State Bank. Betsy was a bright light to those around her, sharing her kind heart, strong will and a dash of sass. The unconditional love and support she gave to her family and friends was unparalleled. Even as her voice grew silent, those blue eyes spoke volumes when she was annoyed with your actions and her hugs still said, "I love you". Betsy will be met in heaven by the ones she loved that went before her. Her parents John and Lugene Hurd, her first love Harold Carr, and if her dream come true, Elvis Presley (some may say she had an unhealthy obsession with the King). She leaves behind her children, Rebecca (Bill) Rypkema, Amanda Carr, Jonathan (Alli) Lipka; her grandchildren, Courtney Rypkema, Quintin Haus, Kalli Haus, Gavin (Erika) Rypkema, Marcus (Jennah) Rypkema; her great-granddaughter, Maelynn Rypkema, and her spunky calico friend, Jane. Her extended family includes an aunt, cousins, siblings-in-law, nieces and nephews. In addition to her family, she will be missed dearly by her friends, Alonda, Cindy, Rose and Suzanne. So many in our community have helped along the way in our journey with frontotemporal dementia, especially in the early days when Betsy loved to express her freedom out and about in the town. Thank you for helping to keep her safe. Our family is forever grateful for mom's care team, we truly wouldn't have been able to give her the life she deserved without them. In particular, we'd like to thank Dr. Robert Holloway with URMC Neurology; Alice and Carlie, along with the rest of the Lourdes/Guthrie Hospice team. A special thanks goes to Mom's caregiver, Taylor Decker (and Keegan & Stella). You have been a true blessing to our family. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Estey, Munroe and Fahey Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Candor, NY. Burial will follow in the Smith Valley Cemetery, Candor, NY. The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 4, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Estey, Munroe Fahey Funeral Home in Candor. In lieu of flowers, please buy a box of wine and dance the night away with Elvis and Tom Jones.