Betty D. Pittenger, 96, passed away peacefully in Youngsville, North Carolina on September 24, 2026 surrounded by family.

Born Elizabeth Louise Dixon in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Guy Ralph Dixon and Ella Mae Cole Dixon. In her youth, her love of music led her to join an accomplished church quartet, where they sang for services, performed on the radio, and recorded an album. When she graduated high school, she worked in a book binding facility and then in a bank as a bookkeeper. After enjoying several years in accounting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Betty embraced her calling to be a full-time homemaker, honored to be a devoted wife to her husband and caring mother to her five children. Upon moving to Oswego, New York, she spent many years volunteering her time with civic and charitable organizations such as the Red Cross and hosting events for the faculty wives club at SUNY Oswego. Gifted with a creative spirit and a sharp mind, Betty brought artistry and precision to everything she pursued whether oil painting, sewing, crocheting, tending her land, editing books, or managing business finances. Betty particularly loved camping and spending time in nature. She saw beauty in the humble and inspired others to see the same. She delighted in traveling, especially to spend time with her cherished family in Indiana and Tennessee. Betty maintained a vibrant sense of adventure even in her later years, moving to Hawaii with family when she was nearly 90. She will be remembered for thoughtfully preserving family traditions, for keeping a positive outlook even in adversity, for intentionally maintaining her friendships, and for taking true joy in watching her treasured grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. She leaves behind a rich heritage of faith and family as she starts her new life in the presence of her Savior.

Betty is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Owen E. Pittenger, her sons Robert Owen Pittenger and William Guy Pittenger, and her sister Ginger Keilman.

She is survived by her daughters, Jeanette Kratz of Fairport, NY, Sandra (Nick) Christiantelli of Auburn, NY, Jenine (Daniel) Pedersen of Youngsville, NC, her daughter-in-law Tammy Pittenger of Oswego NY, and her stepsister-in-law Brenda Lackey of Tullahoma, TN as well as her many beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Per her wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral. Rather, she requested a small oceanside observance to commemorate her love for God’s creation.