WATERTOWN, NY — Betty J. Slack, 94, of 940 Washington Street, formerly of Chestnut Street, passed away June 15, 2019 at Hospice of Jefferson County at the Ellis Farm.
Betty was born Nov. 6, 1924, in Watertown, a daughter of Joseph and Rose Streeter Pinner. In 1942, she graduated from Watertown High School and in 1945 she graduated from House of the Good Samaritan Nursing School as an RN. She did her clinical training in New York City and at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg.
Betty married Benjamin H. Slack on June 24, 1950, at St. Patrick’s Rectory with Reverend John Stone officiating. Mr. Slack died on May 1, 1997.
For 42 years Betty was a nurse for twenty-nine years in the maternity department at Samaritan Medical Center, retiring on April 15, 1987.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the HGS Alumni Association, SMC Auxiliary, and the SMC Loyals. Betty was a member of the HAHA Club, six friends from Watertown that traveled and enjoyed each other’s company at dinner. She volunteered at SMC’s oncology department after her retirement. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, knitting, counted cross stitch, reading a book a day on her Kindle, crossword puzzles, bridge, bingo and card games. Betty was a life- long animal lover.
Surviving are, two daughters, Nancy (Emory “Rick”) Yuhasz, Black River, Rebecca (Robert) Donaghy Buchanan, Albany, three grandchildren, Andrew (Maria) Mitchell, Kenneth Slack, Adam Donaghy, two great grandchildren, Colin Mitchell, Ezra Renzema, several nieces and nephews and her beloved cat, Maggie.
A son David Slack, three brothers Clifton Pinner, Charles Pinner, Clifford Pinner, two sisters, Mildred Olson and Marion Galvin, all died before her.
Calling hours will be 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A funeral service will follow at noon at the funeral home with Rev. Leonard Sponagle officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the North Country Children’s Clinic, 238 Arsenal St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to the Jefferson County SPCA, 25056 Water St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.
