Betty Hilfigure

Betty passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 28, 2016.

Born in Syracuse, New York, on Nov. 12, 1938, to Leonard and Frieda Longo. After marriage, Betty followed her husband as an Army wife, to several different military installations. Among those locations were Colorado, Kansas and Germany. Returning to Syracuse, New York, in 1969 with her five children, she began her new life as a single mother. She took in several nieces and raised them as her own. Betty's main interest in life was being with family. She was a devoted mother and friend to all of them and was always there for them. Hers was the house where every child wanted to be and she treated each one like her own. Hers was the house that had Spaghetti every Sunday and everyone would stop in to visit.


Betty was a living example of sharing kindness with others. Her joy was making other people happy. Whether it was organizing a regular Bingo activity or serving Spaghetti dinners or Ice Cream Socials for her friends, she felt it was her duty to bring people together. Her reward was the smile on their faces.


Betty is survived by her children, Connie Hebert, Cathy Hilfigure, Lyle (Robin) Hilfigure, Peggy (John) Cantello and John Hilfigure.


She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by grandchildren, Jessica Hilfigure and Brian Mandigo


Survived by sister, Dolores Casler and brother, Leonard Longo and half-sisters, Iris Berry and Phyllis Townsend. Predeceased by sisters, Arlene Pruner and Rosemary Madrid and brother, Daniel Longo,


Cremation burial will be Friday, April 1, 2016, at 11:00 am at Pine Plains Cemetary, 8686 Henry Clay Blvd., Clay and a Celebration of Life will be held 6 - 9 pm on Friday, April 1, at Malta House, 212 N. Main St., N. Syracuse.


In lieu flowers, contributions will be used to create an activity fund for Malta House residents in Betty's name.
All contributions can be sent to her daughter, Peggy Cantello.