Reverend Nancy E. Betz

The Reverend Nancy C. Betz, a retired Episcopal priest and beloved mother and grandmother, died at her home in Johnstown, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, with her son Erik by her side. As an Episcopal priest, Mother Betz served parishes in Put-in-Bay, Ohio; Clayton and Cape Vincent, New York; and Remington, Virginia. At her death she was the assistant priest at St. Ann’s, Amsterdam, New York. Mother Betz was known for her tremendous ability to communicate, both with younger and older adults. At her home parish of St. John’s, Johnstown, she was known for discussing the Gospel for the day while “shooting hoops” with the younger members of the congregation. As a seminarian at Bexley Hall, Rochester, she became a preacher much in demand throughout the Rochester area. Throughout her years as a parish priest, she was known for her passionate love of Christ and her ability to communicate that love to others. Mother Betz started ministries with children and youth at each of the parishes she served, bringing youth groups from other parts of the diocese to events at St. Paul’s in Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, and, later, organizing events for the youth of the Diocese of Central New York. Her youth group at Christ Church, Clayton, New York, raised $3,000 to benefit the Lost Boys of Sudan. While she served as rector, both of her parishes in the Diocese of Central New York underwent significant building projects. Before she entered the priesthood, Mother Betz served as director of mediation services for Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie counties in New York under the umbrella organization of Catholic Family and Community Services. In that position, she recruited, trained and supervised volunteer mediators in the resolution of conflicts arising in schools, within families, and in the community. She established a school-based peer mediation program that substantially reduced violence in the schools and increased self-esteem of students. She expanded community-based mediation services to include court-ordered referrals, thereby reducing court costs and time in which disputes were resolved; advocated for application of conflict resolution techniques in schools, churches and throughout the community; and successfully raised funds for the continued operation of programs and prepared and administered the annual budget. As a counselor with Catholic Family Services, she taught basic living skills to residents of an adolescent-young adult home who were transitioning from hospitalization to independent living. She also taught conflict resolution and communication skills. Prior to this, Mother Betz served as a licensed practical nurse at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville, New York, where she provided care to patients of the medical-surgical ward and assisted patients as the resident hospice nurse prior to the establishment of the hospice program. Mother Betz had a Master of Divinity degree from Bexley Hall Seminary in Rochester, a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, and an Associate Degree in Applied Science with license as a practical nurse from Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake, Washington. She was certified in divorce mediation through Haynes Associates of New York and in community and family mediation through New York State Dispute Resolution Training. She served as president of the Board of Directors of Alternatives to Incarceration for Montgomery County in Amsterdam, New York. From January of 1964 to December of 1966, she served as a corpsman in the United States Navy and played tennis for the Navy. It was during her service in the Navy that she met John Betz of Pittsburgh, whom she married in May of 1966. Together, they had three sons, Erik, Travis and Aaron. They divorced in 1979. Mother Betz had a beautiful soprano voice and loved to sing. She also played piano and guitar. She was known for her cooking and baking and for introducing her children and grandchildren to the joy of getting their hands in the dough and helping to cook. She sewed clothes for her family and clothes and vestments for herself and friends, as well as liturgical hangings for her churches. In later years, her artwork branched out to include “diamond painting” in which she produced paintings of religious and other subjects by the placement of miniscule glass beads. Mother Betz was born to James and Sylvia Vail Clizbe on October 8, 1944, in Amsterdam, New York. She graduated from Broadalbin High School in 1962. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, James Clizbe. She is survived by her son Erik Betz, daughter-in-law Tammie Powers-Betz of Johnstown, and their children Samantha Saladino (Joe) of Gloversville, Elizabeth Ashline (Nicholas) of Johnstown, Jonathan Betz of Gloversville, and Alexandra Betz and Parker Power of Johnstown; her son Travis Betz, daughter-in-law Chau, and their children Kien and Mai Betz of Alexandria, Virginia; and her son Aaron Betz and daughter-in-law Lori of Nokesville, Virginia, and their children Bethany Diamond of Bethseda, Maryland, Noah Betz, U.S. Navy stationed in Rhode Island, Nicholas Betz, U.S. Navy stationed in Pensacola, Florida, and Ashley Diamond, Nicholas Diamond, Holly Diamond, Micah Betz and Ellie Mae Betz, all of Nokesville. She is also survived by one brother, William Clizbe of Broadalbin, sister-in-law Bonnie Clizbe of Gloversville, sister-in-law Elizabeth Dillion of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, the Clizbe Clan of Johnstown, and lifelong friend Lois Montayne of Broadalbin. The family expresses deepest thanks to Mountain Valley Hospice of Gloversville for all of their care. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, from noon- 1:30pm at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, 37 Division Street, Amsterdam. A Requiem Eucharist will be offered at 1:30 pm at the church with the Rev. Canon Neal Longe, presiding. Burial will take place at a later date at the Gerald B. H. Solomon-Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to Haven of Hope Farm and Residence, both in care of the funeral home. Arrangements are by the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc. 111 County Highway 106, Johnstown, NY 12095.

Reverend Nancy E. Betz

October 8, 1944 - October 16, 2024

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Reverend Nancy E. Betz

October 8, 1944 - October 16, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

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Grief & Healing

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