Ilion Mrs. Elizabeth (Bette) Brown, 83 of Ilion passed away unexpectedly on Friday December 17, 2010. She was born on April 16, 1927 in Herkimer, the daughter of the late George and Julia (Fistick) Bruska. She graduated salutatorian of her class in 1945 at Mohawk High School. On August 24, 1946 she was united in marriage with William E. Brown, for 41 years they shared a loving and devoted marriage until his passing in 1988. She and her husband owned and operated the State Bowling Center in Ilion for 31 years. Bette was an active and generous contributor of her church and various community organizations. She sang in the church choir and was on the vestry at Grace Episcopal Church in Mohawk. She was actively involved with the Order of Eastern Star Evening Star Valley Chapter #82 and was an Eastern Star Grand Officer in 2005, she was a member of the Minnow Brook Garden Club of Mohawk, volunteered with Catholic Charities and served as an usher at the Stanley Theater. Bette enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends at her camp on Otsego Lake and at her daughters summer home on Cape Cod. She loved to go to her grand children's sporting events, cheering for them from the stands. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bette is survived by her four children Rod and his wife Carol of Mohawk, Judy and her husband Terry Baker of Attleboro, Mass., Beth Shellard of Attleboro, Mass., Billy Brown of Mohawk, 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, a brother Walter Bruska of Vermont, 2 sister-in-laws, Rosemary Brown of Mohawk and Barbara Nobles of Danbury, Conn, also several nieces and nephews. Calling hours for Bette will be Tuesday, December 21, 2010, from 3-7 P.M. at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Inc., 100 Otsego St., Ilion, there will be a ritualistic service offered by members of Chapter 82 O.E.S. at 6:00 P.M. Tuesday. Bette's funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00A.M. Wednesday December 22, 2010, at Grace Episcopal Church, Mohawk. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Grace Episcopal Church or The Eastern Star Home in Oriskany. Envelopes will be made available at the funeral home and church Friends may leave on line condolences and light a memorial candle at www.whiter-hendrix.com