Whitehall – Elizabeth “Betty” Margaret Marcino, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024, with her sons, Girard, and Billy, by her side, one week after celebrating her 101st birthday.
Betty was born in Rouses Point, NY on December 27, 1922, to Charles and Stella Kortz. She grew up on Champlain Avenue in Whitehall NY and in that backyard, she and her brothers, Tom, and Charles, learned to walk the tight rope (without a net!) and perform other acrobatic stunts. Betty was also a dancer. The three of them performed shows in various venues in New York and Vermont. She had a lifelong love of ice skating and skated from Whitehall to Comstock on the canal.
Betty was a telephone switchboard operator in Whitehall and was on duty when World War II ended. She recalled: “The switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree!” as everyone was calling friends and family to let them know the war was over.
Betty married Melio “Duce” Marcino on October 24, 1948. Together they operated Duce’s Restaurant in Whitehall, with Betty waiting on tables and tending bar. She loved music and the radio was always on in the kitchen. Bobby Vinton was her favorite. She also loved “Dancing Queen” by Abba, which played on the jukebox in Duce’s restaurant.
Every Sunday was for family. She made spaghetti dinner at noon for anybody who wanted to come. Her desserts were delicious! Coconut cream pie, white cupcakes with chocolate frosting, cake with boiled frosting and coconut on top, and apple pie. She took care of making the turkey dinner for every holiday. Homemade fudge was the special dessert on those days. She never asked for help with any of the preparation or clean up, always telling us to go enjoy our day.
Betty, who was affectionately known as “Ama”, was always there for all of us and kept the family together. We are happy for her to be at peace. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Duce, and their infant son, Stephen.
Betty is survived by her children: Marilyn Conlon (Ray), Melio Marcino (Claire), Nancy Gordon (William), Girard Marcino, and William Marcino, her grandchildren: Lynn Conlon, Amy Austin, Claire Uotila, Renee Gordon, and Kevin Gordon, and her great grandchildren: Stephen Austin, Mackenzie Mitchell, and Suvi, Caleb, and Joshua Uotila.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, 9 Wheeler Avenue, Whitehall, NY at 11:00 AM on January 6, 2024. At Betty’s request, there will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s name can be made to Our Lady of Hope Church Roof Fund. Please include “Church Roof” on the memo line. Our Lady of Hope Church, 9 Wheeler Avenue, Whitehall, NY 12887.
Betty’s arrangements are under the care of the Jillson Funeral Home Inc., 46 Williams St., Whitehall, NY. Online condolences may be made at www.jillsonfuneralhome.com
