Betty Lou Della Ratta

Betty Lou Della Ratta, 87, of Benedict Loop, Broadalbin, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023, at home. She was born in Schenectady on October 8, 1935, a daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Sisan Lafforthun and grew up in Charlton. Betty was a graduate of Saratoga High School and later obtained her hairdresser license. She practiced as a hairdresser in Schenectady until she moved to Broadalbin when she married Settimio “Sid” Della Ratta. Together, they owned and operated Della Ratta’s Bar & Grill in North Broadalbin. Betty worked at Patty’s Greenhouse for many years. It was there that she developed a love of gardening and flower arranging. Later, Betty worked at the former Mohawk Finishing in Amsterdam as a color match specialist. Her artistic ability and intelligence made her the most requested color matcher. All color matching was done by eye from samples sent in by customers. When the company began using a computer to analyze samples and determine the amounts of pigment needed to match a sample, Betty’s ability surpassed the computer in compiling a matching formula. She retired from Mohawk Finishing in 2001. Betty was an avid gardener and loved tending to her beautiful flower gardens. Every year she would germinate hundreds of flower plants, painstakingly nurturing the tiny plants in grow-light racks that her husband built for her. The house would become immersed in the earthy smell of warm soil and the ghastly scent of fish emulsion fertilizer which she would laugh and explain “It’s what the baby plants like.” The garden where the plants would eventually grow into beautiful blooms grew every year as well. Betty would create a new bed for her plants, encircling each with cut stone and rocks brought up from the beach. People would see her garden from the main road and take a turn onto the loop just to get a closer look at her beautiful blooms, statues, and bushes. Betty was a talented artist and enjoyed working with oils and watercolors. She enjoyed photography and would often paint the subjects of her photographs. Betty also liked to sew. She made some of her own clothes, toys and costumes for her children and grandchildren, and made many quilts for her family. She also crocheted intricate lace doilies and ornaments that would take her months to complete. Betty was well known and appreciated for her cooking and baking skills. Perhaps most for her huge assortment of Christmas cookies and confections, none of which was ever made outside of Christmas. Everyone had their favorite and names were written alongside the recipes so that the recipient could get a few extra of their favorite in the gift box. Christmas was magical in her house. With the delectable smell of cookies baking, classical Christmas music playing in the background, racks of cooling cookies spread all over the dining room table (which had to have all the leaves put it in to make it big enough!), and Betty in the kitchen, covered in flour and powdered sugar, moving about with the intensity of a true master as timers dinged and pans were rotated. And we can never forget the Christmas tree or the hours one could stand before it, gazing at the myriad of ornaments and never being able to select a favorite because they were all exceptional. Betty was also an avid animal supporter. She contributed to PETA, the Nature Conservatory, and the World Wildlife Fund. After she retired, Betty volunteered at the Montgomery County SPCA and later at the Helping Paws Animal Rescue in Broadalbin. She loved her pets, even through the loss of her memory, and was able to die at home with critters piled around her, just as she wanted. In addition to her parents, Betty was predeceased by a son, Dean and her husband, Sid. Survivors include her children, Aris (Kristy) Della Ratta, Rachel Della Ratta (Robin Sawyer), and Carol Egan; and five grandchildren, Meagan, Natasha, Alaina, Will, and Christopher. Cremation was performed at Park View Crematorium, Schenectady. A celebration of her life will be held at her home on Saturday, May 6, 2023, starting at 2pm. Final burial will be private at Broadalbin-Mayfield Rural Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery County SPCA, in care of the funeral home. Arrangements are by the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc., 111 County Highway 106, Johnstown, NY 12095.

Betty Lou Della Ratta

October 8, 1935 - April 13, 2023

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Betty Lou Della Ratta

October 8, 1935 - April 13, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

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About Us

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Grief & Healing

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