MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — “Betsy Dean went home to Jesus on Sunday evening, Jan. 15, 2023,” her family wrote in a tribute. She was 93.

The daughter of the late Sherman and Dorothy (née Sellew) Bishel, she was born in Middletown, Connecticut. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and then attended Syracuse University.

There, her family wrote in a tribute, “she met the love of her life on a blind date.” After graduating from Syracuse University, she married Stuart M. Dean of Boonville, New York.

“They made their first home together in Syracuse,” her family wrote. “After a few years on Long Island, they moved to Altamont, where she lived most of her life. Five years ago, following her daughter’s retirement to Myrtle Beach, Betsy joined her daughter and enjoyed her time in the warmer weather.

“She was a stay-at-home mom and was always available for her children. When her youngest was in high school, she volunteered in the library at Pineview Christian School. Then, when some of her local grandchildren needed a place to stay during the after-school hours, she welcomed them, as well.

“Mrs. Dean sewed school clothes for her children and, as they grew, she also developed interests in other crafts — including making stuffed teddy bears for grandchildren and lots and lots and lots of quilts, some of which won awards and ribbons. She was very active in local quilting groups, and taught a class for quilters based on Biblical themes.

“Her faith and her involvement in the church were very important to her. She said that she read all of the Gospel of Matthew in one afternoon when she was in her teens and ‘fell in love with Jesus’ right then, a love that continued to grow her whole life.”

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Betsy Dean is survived by her children, Dottie (Burton) Mintline, Alice (Richard) Ruby, Mark Dean, Paul (Carla Walker) Dean, and John Dean, and by her grandchildren, Michael (Ruth) Gay, Peter (Eun Young) Gay, David (Yusimy) Gay, Jeffrey (Kristen) Ruby, David (Kelly) Ruby, Danielle (Bradford) Scolaro, Susan (Gilbert) Garza, Jennifer Dean, Matthew Dean, Kristin (Joseph Reedy) Dean, Steven Dean, Lauren (Richard) McCutcheon, and Marcy (Patrick) McMillen.

She is also survived by her 28 great-grandchildren — Katie, Sara, Hailee, Joseph Jr., David Jr., Donovin, Cody, Derek, Ella, Elizabeth, Alexis, Joseph, Yazmine, Amber, Luca, Elinor, Jiyong, Alexander, Nora, Paul, Fiona, Yezenia, Anthony, Alasdair, Jameson, Deborah, Yuliza, and Rachel — as well as by her brother Arthur (Pat) Bishel, her sisters-in-law Brenda Dean and Elaine Bishel, and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents, Sherman and Dorothy (née Sellew) Bishel, died before her as did her beloved husband, Stuart M. Dean; her brother, Robert Bishel; her brother-in-law, David Dean; her sister-in-law, Betty Bishel; her infant grandson, Jason Dean; and her niece Holly Bishel.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. in the Fredendall Funeral Home, followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, both in Altamont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Princetown Church, 3662 Giffords Church Road, Duanesburg, NY 12056.