Marion Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Columbe

Betty was born in Saranac Lake on March 23, 1932, the daughter of “Ned” and Frances O’Neil Wood. She married Gaylord Columbe in Plattsburgh on Feb. 1, 1957. He predeceased her in October 1985.

Betty was a lifelong resident of Bloomingdale, and she worked for Ames Department store in Saranac Lake from when it first opened until it closed, where she met her best friend Lina Boon. Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and her greatest joy was when she was surrounded by them all. She cherished her childhood memories on the farm with Harold, Robert, Catherine, Mildred, Dorothy and Geraldine. She enjoyed Sunday breakfast and dinners with family, casino trips, cooking, reading, crossword puzzles and cards.

Betty is survived by her son and five daughters: Valerie Oliver, Vanessa Columbe, Vi Snickles and Vickie (Jim) Strack, all of Bloomingdale, and Vivian (Richard) Charland of Eagle Bridge; 10 grandchildren: Jackie, Chad, Ryan, Brady (Jolissa), Justin, Brittany, Cody, Jordan, Daniel and Derek; three great-grandchildren: Colin, Chance and Brady Pratt II, and two on the way.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Gaylord; an infant son, “Ricky,” at 20 months of meningitis; her two sons-in-law Roger Oliver and John Ecret; two brothers, John and Pete Wood; and her mother and father.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Friends and family may call on Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral service will take place on Friday, Nov. 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church in Bloomingdale with the Rev. Martin Cline officiating. Burial will immediately follow in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Bloomingdale. Family and friends attending in-person calling hours and funeral services are asked to please follow all COVID-19 recommendations including social distancing and wearing a mask. Due to extenuating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic and limited seating at St. Paul’s Church, the Columbe family understands that it may make it difficult to attend. For those unable to attend, the funeral service will also be recorded and be available for viewing following the services on the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home website and Facebook page.

Family and friends wishing to remember Marion “Betty” (Wood) Columbe can share their memories, video and written condolences at www.fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com. Family and friends can send memorial contributions in Betty’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983.