Obituary of Betty J. Yager-Manchester

Betty Yager-Manchester, 86, of Fort Plain, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Palatine Nursing Home. Born December 16, 1929 in a house on Willow Street in Gloversville, she was the daughter of Virgil and Myrtle Smith, King. She attended McKinley and Estee Schools in Gloversville and despite growing up during the depression, she often talked of the great childhood she had and the long-lasting friendships she made within the neighborhood where she lived. She shared so many great memories of roller skating, going to the movies at the Glove Theatre, riding downhill on snow-covered streets, going to dances, and swimming or ice skating at Littaur Pool. "There was always something for kids to do back then." At the age of 14, she begged her dad to sign her working papers and began her first job working at the Mohigan Market nights after school. She worked there for a couple of years and then went to work at the Battery Factory. Through the years, she also worked at the Luxuray, Clyde Bank, and Comptones' factories. Her last place of employment was a sales clerk at Montgomery Wards Catalog Store in Fort Plain. She was married to Robert Bowler and raised three children, Debbie (Ralph) Taylor of Fort Plain; Cathy (Ken) Davis of Fort Plain; and Bob (Sue) Bowler, of Schodack Landing, which survive her. In 1967 she married Neal Yager, and together, they spent many happy years watching their grandchildren grow into adulthood with families of their own. Neal passed away in 2000. The surviving grandchildren are: Toby (Janene Bouck) Hogan of Broadalbin; Todd (Heather) Hogan of Galway; Cristy Collier of Nashville, TN; Rebecca (Mark) Nearbin of Fort Plain; Tammy (Richard) Taylor of Fort Plain; Jason Bowler of VA; Heather (Steve) Voss; Renee (Jonathan) Gancarz, both of Johnstown; and Mariah Bowler of Utica. She has 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson, Thatcher Hogan of Fort Plain. In 2007, she married Robert Manchester and inherited five more step-children: Sherry Lynn Manchester, Charlie Manchester, both of Carlisle; Becky Sue Manchester of CO; Nellie Jo (Rudy) Chubbs of SC; and Dawn (Ron) Kincaid of VA. There are also several step-grand children. Betty is survived by her siblings: Kenny King of Palatine Bridge, Linda (Skip) Hoffman of Fonda; Ann (Hugh) Hollar of VA; Sharon (Charles) Matteson of NC; Virgil (Mary) King of IL; Leona (Keith) Ellsworth, George King, John (Louise) King, Robin (Stephen) Koenig, Kathy (Ronald) Johnson, all of Gloversville, and Mark (Cynthia) King of Northville. She also has several "Very Special" cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by grandsons, Ralph & Richard Taylor, a brother, Gene King, and two sisters, Audrey Lamphere and Sandra Przestrzelski. Betty loved to send cards every month for family birthdays and anniversaries, but her favorite time of year was Christmas when she sent out over one hundred Christmas cards and always tried to be the first to mail them out. This year, most of them went out before Halloween. She was the family barber, counselor, and back seat driver, although she never had a drivers license. She loved to play cards, table games and dominoes, and was a very poor loser. She was an excellent cook and also loved to crochet and do ceramics, until Parkinson's took over her body and she was unable to do all the things she enjoyed doing. Betty was the life of the party and loved to laugh and have fun and wanted everyone to be happy and get along. She touched the lives of many people and will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to know her. Calling hours to which relatives and friends are invited to attend will be held Friday, December 9, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 at Houghtaling and Smith Funeral Home, 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie. A celebration of life service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 1 p.m. with Pastor Mark Kelly officiating. Burial will follow at the Fresybush Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Faith Bible Church, 108 Crosby Road, Sprakers, NY 12166 or to Parkinson's Research Foundation, online.