HARTFORD – Betty “Mimi” Patten Duel, 91, of Hartford, went into the arms of the Lord on Wednesday, December 30 at her home, following a long illness.
Born on August 22nd 1924 in Adamsville, NY. Betty was the daughter of James Patten and Evelyn (Walsh) Patten.
Betty grew up on the family farm in Adamsville. She enjoyed her life despite being poor. She always said, “Everyone was poor, we didn’t know any different”. One of Betty’s first jobs was at the Homestead Tea House in Hudson Falls, a job which she loved. She went on to enlist in the United States Navy during WWII in 1944. Betty considered her time in the Navy to be one of the best in her life. She was very proud to have served her country. During her time in the military, Betty married the love of her life, Frank C. Duel on December 23rd 1945. She was honorably discharged in 1946 and the couple moved to Hudson Falls where they began a family.
She started work as a dishwasher at the Maple Street School in Hudson Falls, which blossomed into a 25 year career, ending as a school lunch manager when she retired in 1980. Betty enjoyed everything about this job from washing dishes to food preparation. She cherished her time with coworkers and the beloved students that she served lunches to. These relationships and memories were thought of fondly for many years to follow.
Betty was an active member of the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church for 40 years. After moving from Hudson Falls to Hartford, she rejoined the Adamsville Baptist Church. Her father, James Patten, helped to build this church in which Betty and her family attended during her childhood. Church and her belief in Christ were always very important to Betty. She was a wonderful Christian woman who lived out her faith.
Betty was a very caring person. She made friends easily and remained friends forever. She was very loyal and had life-long friends from high school, the service, and her work. She valued her relationships and considered her family to be friends as well.
Betty’s family was very important to her and she was the cornerstone that held us all together. She enjoyed teaching the kids to swim, and attending sporting events, concerts, or any other activity. She loved baking and cooking and always was sure to put in her special ingredient, “love”. Wedding cakes were one of her specialties, which she made for numerous family and friends. Betty was very crafty and creative, she took delight in painting, crocheting, sewing, as well as Christmas crafting with Frank. Betty enjoyed being outdoors, tending to her plants, and watching the bluebirds and hummingbirds. She exceled at everything she did and poured her heart into every activity. Her passion and love were contagious. Betty was a wonderful woman who loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with all her heart. She played a large role in raising and babysitting her great-granddaughters. They were her pride and joy. Words cannot express the hole that Betty’s passing has left in our hearts and lives, but all of the memories that have been shared will be cherished. Mimi has “sprinkled” our lives with love to last a lifetime.
In addition to her parents, and loving husband of 52 years, Frank “Papa” C. Duel, Betty was predeceased by her siblings: Ida Dessaint, Clifford Patten, Edward Patten, Howard Patten, Dorothy Claire, James Patten, Richard Patten, Kay Patten, and Raymond Patten; and her brothers and sister in-law: Harvey Dessaint, Viola Patten, Glendon Claire, and Romeo Paradis.
Betty is survived by her adoring family: Daughter, Donna Petteys and husband, Brent and daughter Diane O’Connor; Grandchildren: Brian Petteys, and his wife, Denise, Kimberly Reynolds, and her husband Larry, Heather O’Connor, Colin Petteys and his wife Gretchen, and Shawn O’Connor; Great-Granddaughters: Jaclyn Petteys, Christina Petteys, Shelby Reynolds, and Lexus Reynolds; and special little friends, Case, Evalyn, and Clayton.
Betty is also survived by her siblings: Robert Patten and wife, Jane, Mildred Paradis, Gladys Flynn, and Elaine Benson, and her sisters’ in-law: Lois Patten, Carol Patten, and Darlene Patten. And by many nieces and nephews.
Friends and family may call from 10 am to noon on Saturday, at Carleton Funeral Home, 68 Main Street Hudson Falls, NY.
A funeral service will follow immediately after calling hours on Saturday.
Burial will be held in the spring at Morningside Cemetery in Hartford, NY.
Memorial donations, in Betty’s name may be made to High Peaks Hospice, 79 Glenwood Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804.
A special thank you to High Peaks Hospice for their help during this difficult time. The family is truly grateful for the superb care that you provided.