Obituary of Elizabeth A. Ball

Born April 19, 1917 in Surry, New Hampshire, returned home July 5, 2016. She is predeceased by her parents Ernest and Victoria Ball of Surry, NH, brothers John, Weston and Herbert; sisters, Sarah, Gerry and Ruth. Sis is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Susie and David Rosplock of Elmira, who were her next door neighbors and caregivers for several years. She is also survived by her siblings; Lois, Bill (Joan), Sam (Julie), Shirley, Gerty (Paul), Patty, Edie (Bill), and Judy; along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her granddaughters, Jami Leveen, her husband Mark Mennuti, and their children, Maizy, Anna and Declan, who learned the importance of caring for and respecting the elderly during their visits from Haddonfield NJ; Emily Leveen Aguilar and husband Miguel from Miami FL; although far away, kept in frequent touch with Guy; Sara Elizabeth Leveen and her fiancé Ben Lowell from Brooklyn, NY who maintained a close relationship with Guy. Betty remained close to Sue's first husband David Leveen, his sisters, Amy and Ace and their families. David's parents Cy and Polly Leveen were her dear friends and neighbors for many years. Sis was born and raised in rural Surry, the eldest daughter of 15 children. She learned many skills early: loving, caring, cleaning, cooking, child care, (especially rocking the youngest baby), persistence, the importance of education, hard work, and doing it right. However, she always took time to have fun along the way. Betty moved to Elmira, graduating from the "old EFA" in 1939. Following graduation she worked at Eclipse, retiring after 35 years. While working she devoted her time to raising her daughter Susie who eventually learned the satisfaction of a job well done, the importance of education and how to be a great nurse, mother and a cook too! She loved her home at 613 College Ave., which she single handedly updated from 1952 until 2007. This was her dream home because it had a yard large enough to have a garden and close enough to "walk to town", because she never had her driver's license. An added plus was Arnot Park which gave Susie her love of swinging. While on College Ave. she was neighbors and a good friend of Cel Dobranski. Elizabeth's hobbies included gardening, always wearing a hat and canning her garden treasures. She had great patience for detail and intricate work. Her attention to detail allowed her to create beautiful art including tinting sepia photos with special oil paint applied with a small amount of cotton wrapped around a sharpened wooden match stick. She glazed beautiful ceramic pieces and hundreds of crafts while involved with Home Bureau. Every Friday evening, she and Susie walked downtown to the bank and then to pay the bills at Iszards, Rosenbaums, Gorton Coy, Petersons and always Deister and Butler. She loved to buy special gifts for her family and herself. Recently she spent a lot of time trying on her many rings which will be passed on to her granddaughters. Bob and Bruce Butler remained two of her favorite people. After the bills were paid, it was time to eat at the counter at Kresgees or Newberrys (the stools turned!) The walk home was topped off by a stop at the popcorn wagon for a bag of popcorn, with lots of butter, for $.10! Sometimes there was time for a movie at the Colonial, Capitol or Elmira Theater. When Mom and Susie returned home, the groceries they selected earlier at the A&P would be at the back door in a very large flour sack…simpler times! After retirement in 1975, she helped to care for her beautiful granddaughters. Her love, sweetness, kindness, common sense, patience and many talents influence their lives to this day. She volunteered at the Chemung County Historical Society for many years. Betty also had a special place in her heart for animals and loved her many cats since 1967. "Miss Kitty" is her current feline friend. Susie would especially like to thank her husband David who has been so supportive and understanding during the past couple of years during Guy's declining health and increasing dependence. David's dog "Lady" loved to visit Guy because there was always a biscuit involved. Family was of great importance to Sis. The Ball Family Reunion is held each year in August in Gilsum, NH, hosted by her sister Edie, and for many years she and Susie took the Greyhound bus to attend the reunion. Many family members have made the trip from New Hampshire to share in her birthday parties for the past several years, always brightening her days. On April 17, 2016 her 99th birthday was celebrated with a great party with friends and family. Her memory will live forever in our hearts. Family and friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W Water Street, Elmira, on Friday, July 8, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 6:15 p.m. to celebrate her life and share memories. If possible, please wear purple, and a hat. Donations may be made to the Chemung County Historical Society, 415 E. Water Street, Elmira NY 14901. On August 20th, Sis will return to her beloved Surry.