Born Sept. 20, 1938, she was the daughter of Raymond M. and Cleta M. Childs Foster. On June 5, 2021 she married Gerald P. Maerten who survives.

Betty was a graduate of Bolivar Central School class of 1956. She became an RN after graduating from the University of Rochester. After a long career in nursing Betty became the Environmental Education teacher at BOCES. She then became a graduate of Jamestown Community College and Empire State University becoming a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). At the time of her retirement she was the Director of Westons Manor.

She was a grateful member of Al-Anon. She was involved in grief support through Stephen’s Ministry at St. Mary of the Angels Parish in Olean. In 2009 her family was honored to see her become a Secular Franciscan at Mt. Irenaeus in Friendship NY.

In her retirement Betty travelled the world. In her lifetime she saw most of the US, parts of Canada and Mexico. She visited Greece, Italy, France, India, Nepal, and Turkey. She will be remembered by her family as a lifelong learner and a gourmet cook.

Surviving besides her husband Gerald are three daughters, Jamie (David) Greene of Olean, Jodie (Matt Printup) Hooker of Sacramento, CA and Wendy (Troy Wilson) Lawrence of Hamburg, NY; a step-daughter, Deborah (Robert) Duchesne of Monroe, NC; a step-daughter-in-law, Patti (Jeff) Hicks of Martinsburg, WV; eighteen grandchildren, Daryl (Jennifer) Greene, David (Emily) Greene, Andrew Greene, Crystal (Dale) Snyder, Miranda (Scott) Fisher, Dylan (Mellissa McCartney) Greene, Brian (Bridget) Childs, Michael (Lillian) Muir, Eugene Lawrence, Desmond (Sara) Lawrence, Brittany Simmons, Thurston Lawrence, Ezekoy Lawrence, Morgan (Damarius) Hoy, Alorra (Julius Laureano) Lawrence; three step-grandchildren, Theresa Paluch, Serafina Maerten, Gabriel Maerten; thirty-one great-grandchildren; and many beloved cousins, family members and dear friends.

She was predeceased by a son, Dr. Michael J. Hooker on June 12 2020; and a step-son, Daniel P. Maerten on February 3, 2017.

Friends may call at the Mark F. Rinker Funeral Home & Memorial Service, Inc., 9 Bull Street Cuba, on Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 6-8 P.M. with a prayer service beginning at 8 in the Funeral Home. A Private Memorial Mass will be held at the convenience of the family.