AMHERST - Betty Lou Loucks died peacefully on December 16, 2018 at
Buffalo General Hospital at the age of 90, following a brief illness.
Betty was born on March 25, 1928 in Salamanca NY, to Grace
and Leonard Morton. After graduating from Salamanca High School, she attended
Buffalo State College for one year. Returning to her home town she married her
longtime friend Lester Loucks on August 16, 1947. Six years later she and Les
moved their growing family to Wellsville where she became involved in numerous
volunteer organizations.
Her active lifestyle included serving as a cub scout den
mother for 10 years, chairing the Fresh Air Fund in Wellsville for 25 years,
directing youth activities at the Christian Temple such as liturgists, youth
drama, and trips to New York City as well as serving as president of the
congregation.
After raising her six children, Betty returned to college
and received a BA and MS degrees from State University at Geneseo. After
graduation she taught sixth grade at the Wellsville Middle School for six years
and then developed and directed the Gateway program for gifted and talented
students in the Wellsville Central Schools. She was instrumental in getting
Wellsville students involved in the Olympics of the Mind (Odyssey of the Mind)
competition.
Retiring, Betty and Les moved from Wellsville to Amherst NY
where they enjoyed attending cultural performances. She was president of the
Buffalo Branch, Association of American University Women and president of the
College Club of Buffalo in which she remained active until her death.
She and Les were married for 71 years and had six children:
Pamela (Edward) McNey, David (deceased), Douglas (Dianne), Terry (Laura),
Christopher (Sue, deceased) and Brian (Libby). She is also survived by 13
grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Surviving also, is her brother Calvin
“Bud” of Salamanca and his three daughters. She was preceded in death by her
husband (5/26/18) and their beloved Bichons Gigi and Tesse.
Betty donated her body to the University of Buffalo
Anatomical Gift Program. Memorials can be made in Betty’s honor to The Fresh
Air Fund by going to freshair.org and completing the online form or to a
charity of choice.
