Bette Baird Gallup

HILLSDALE - Bette Baird Gallup, 80, of Hillsdale passed away June 12, 2015. She was born in Suffern, NY in 1935, the daughter of Stanley and Blanche Baird.

Mrs. Gallup graduated from Cortland State Teachers College and Russell Sage College, was married in 1957 and moved to Hillsdale in 1959. She taught physical education classes in the Hudson school district and later began a long career as an elementary teacher at the Roeliff Jansen school in the Taconic Hills school district. She was very beloved as an active volunteer serving the local community. She has been a swim instructor at the Ancram community pool, coordinated the summer playground program in Hillsdale and loved waitressing at events at the Hillsdale Fire House. She has also dedicated countless hours to the Hillsdale Library with a special love of the children's book room, coordinated many activities for the Roe Jan Food Pantry (always hand writing thank you notes) and has been a devoted member of the Hillsdale Methodist Church. Her many hobbies included gardening, cross-stitching, basket making, bird watching, camping, walking, baking and traveling. She was full of life and love for her family, friends, and community. She will be missed dearly by her family and everyone whose lives she touched.

Mrs. Gallup is survived by Roger, her husband of 58 years, her son Scott and his wife Clair of Jonesville, NY, daughter Lauri Kent and her husband Kevin of Niskayuana, NY, daughter Linda Handrinos and her husband Nikos of Corfu, Greece, son Keith and his wife Linda of Renton, WA. She will be missed by her grandchildren, Chris, Lindsay, Jameson, Kevin, Caroline, Jesse, Spyros and Petros and her great-granddaughter Anastaisya. She is also survived by her sisters Laurel Clapp of Ancram NY and Dorry Norris of Ithaca NY.

There are no calling hours. Donations in her memory may be made to the Roeliff Jansen Community Library, PO Box 669, Hillsdale, NY 12529, the Hillsdale United Methodist Church, PO Box 217, Hillsdale, NY 12529 or the Roe Jan Food Pantry, PO Box 343, Hillsdale NY 12529.

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