Margaret Elizabeth "Betty" James

Forestport- Margaret Elizabeth Betty James, age 97, former longtime resident of Division Street, Forestport, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2019, at Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Boonville. Affectionately known as Betty, she was born in Forestport, on September 19, 1922, the only child of the late Mary Farrell James and Howard William James. She was raised in Forestport Station, where her parents operated a general store. Betty graduated from Forestport Central School, the first Central School in Oneida County, in 1939; The College of St. Rose, Albany, in 1943 and received her Masters in Guidance from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. Miss James taught English in Sauquoit Valley Central School, Forestport Central and Kernan School, Utica. She retired in 1977 as a guidance counselor at John F. Kennedy High School, Utica, NY. Betty was very active at St. Patricks Catholic Church, Forestport, and was past president of the Catholic Womens Club there. She was currently a member of Christ Our Hope Catholic Community at St. Josephs Church in Boonville. Betty is survived by cousins: Philip (Judy) James, FL, William James, FL, Michael (Martha) James, CA, John (Jacqueline) Farrell, Utica, Anne Farrell, TX. She is also survived by her godson, Robert Clemente and her second family, the Siegel children of Alder Creek, NY- Karen (Douglas) Batt, Frederick (Patricia) Siegel, Paula (James) Logan and Andrea Siegel Radesi - to whom she will always be remembered as Aunt Betty. She was predeceased by a cousin Helen Kennerknecht. Her family wishes to express their sincere thanks to the helpful staff at Terrace at Woodlands Assisted Living Center, Rome, and the loving and caring staff of Sunset Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, for the excellent care rendered to Betty. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Wednesday, November 20, at 10:30 A.M. at Christ Our Hope Parish, St. Josephs Church, Charles St. Boonville, where Rev. Thomas A. Ward, pastor will officiate. A Mass of Christian Burial followed by interment in St. Josephs Cemetery, Boonville, will be held in the spring of 2020, at a date and time to be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to The Catholic Womens Club c/o Christ Our Hope Parish, 108 Charles St. Boonville, NY 13309. Her Funeral arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc.