Betty Singer

Betty Singer was born in Brooklyn NY on February 23, 1940. She passed away on November 29, 2024 at home in Ithaca, NY.

Betty grew up amidst a large extended family in Brighton Beach. She loved being outdoors; the sea, sand and boardwalk. She began playing piano and folk dancing at age 3. Additionally, she started painting and drawing as a youngster and often did so at her desk in school instead of paying attention in class. Her older brother would tutor her in math the night before a quiz and she always passed! Her family spent summers at Hygeology in the Catskills where they practiced healthy living and where Betty was further immersed in nature.

Betty took a drawing class at the Art Students League in NYC, where she met her future husband, Arnold Singer. They shared a love of art and painting and soon started a family. In 1966, the family moved to Ithaca when Arnold was recruited to teach lithography at Cornell University. Betty fell in love with the old farmhouse and rural property where they resided and where Betty lived the rest of her life. She raised chickens and goats and grew extensive vegetable and flower gardens. In the early years, in addition to creating her own artwork, she taught art at local elementary schools, notably the experimental East Hill School.

In 1976, Arnold and Betty separated. Afterwards, Betty met Robert Armstrong. She and Robert homeschooled their children and vastly expanded homesteading projects, such as planting a large orchard, dying and spinning wool and milling lumber.

In her later years, she returned to folk dancing and even taught folk dances at Lifelong and Kendall. When her health prohibited her from gardening, Betty also came back to her first love, the piano. She played classical piano pieces for many hours each day, even playing for a short while until nearly her last day.

Betty was predeceased by the first husband, Arnold and son Jeremy. She is survived by her partner Bob; children, Poppy, Tony, Justin and Joel; grandchildren, Simnia, Micheal, Leo, Christopher, Bella and Sylvie and great grandchildren, Muna and Adar.

A memorial open house at her residence, 301 Turkey Hill Road for family and friends is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11. Perhaps bring a dish to share, but especially your company.