Elizabeth “Betty” Hiddemen Rice, age 94 of Perry, NY passed away on December 5, 2019 at Eastside Nursing Home where she had been residing. On October 26, 1925 Betty was welcomed into the household of Katherine D. and William H. Hiddemen in Glenolden, Pa. Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her husband: Clark T. Rice whom she married on November 22, 1945, he passed away in 1999, siblings: Katherine Mechesney, Henrietta Schreiber, William, George and Frank Hiddemen.
Betty was a 1943 graduate of Glen-Nor High School in Glenolden, PA., 1946 graduate of Episcopal Hospital of Philadelphia training School for Nurses, in 1974 received her Bachelor’s degree from Empire State College, 1974 received her Nurse Practitioner degree from Syracuse Community Hospital and in 1977 received her Master’s degree from SUNY Brockport. Betty was certified in both New York and Pennsylvania as a registered nurse. She worked at the Wyoming County Community Hospital for several years then for 25 years was Dr. Willard Chapin’s physician assistant and retired from SUNY Geneseo. Betty also worked with her late husband at the former Little Studio in Perry. She helped with all aspects of the photography studio, going to weddings, doing school pictures, touching up and processing film and doing the book keeping. Both occupations bringing her great joy. She was an active member of the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church in Perry, where she taught Sunday school, served on the Altar Guild, served on the Vestry typing the weekly bulletin, attended many conventions, and was a representative to the “Small Churches of Episcopal Churches of Western New York. Betty was a member of the Castile and Nunda Historical Societies, former director of the Wyoming County Pioneer Historical Society, member of the Friends of the Greenway, Friends of the Perry Public Library where she was a former Trustee, Order of the Eastern Star,
She is survived by her children: Kathryn (Marwin) Cummings of Tioga, PA., David (Darlene) Rice of Perry, 5 grandchildren: Tracey (Ross Shourds) Rice, Greg (Joy) Cummings, Jonathan (Tanya) Rice, Christopher (Sarah) Rice and Aaron Rice, great grandchildren: Sam, Owen and Robyn Cummings, Henry, Maeve and Geoffrey Rice, along with many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call from 12-2pm on Saturday December 7, 2019 at Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street Perry, NY 14530 where Funeral Services will follow at 2:00PM. She will be laid to rest in Glenwood Cemetery in Perry.
(In lieu of flowers) Memorial contributions may be made to the Perry Rotary Club P.O. Box 103 Perry, NY, Perry Public Library 70 N. Main St. Perry, NY or to the Wyoming County Arts Council P.O. Box 249 Perry, NY 14530. For more information please call (585) 237-2626 or to leave a message of condolence visit www.eatonwatsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements completed by Eaton-Watson Funeral Home, LLC. 98 North Main Street, Perry, New York 14530.
