Bette Shafer Dean

Bette Shafer Dean, 85, of Syracuse, entered into glory with Jesus on Monday, November 27, 2006. She was born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. After raising her family in Syracuse, she graduated from Onondaga Community College. She also studied fine arts at Syracuse University and Sam Miguel College in Mexico. She and her husband, the late Richard Dean, traveled and spent many years in Florida and Mexico. Bette was very active in outdoor pursuits and enjoyed hiking, cycling and gardening. She was very involved in the art world. She taught at Elmcrest Children's Center, which brought her great joy. Until recently, she also taught art at BOCES. Bette had a great deal of passion and love for life. She was active in animal rights and had many special pets during her life. Bette had a great love for her beautiful garden and we all remember her for her famous tomato sandwiches. Bette is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Edith Shafer, her brothers, William Ashford, Charles Shafer, Jr., Howard Shafer, Jack Shafer and Robert Shafer and her grandson, Chad Michael Dean. Surviving are her sons and daughters-in law, Richard and Karen Dean and James and Elizabeth Dean; sisters, Shirley Ganz, Jane Racite and Dolores Leonard; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, December 1, 2006 at the Liverpool Christian Church with Pastor Justin Campbell officiating. Friends may call Thursday, November 30, 2006 from 4 to 7 p.m. at church. Burial will be in Pine Plains Cemetery, Clay. Arrangements are by the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the SPCA, 5878 E. Molloy Rd., Mattydale, NY 13211 or to the Liverpool Christian Church, 2021 Cold Springs Rd., Liverpool, NY 13090.The family has provided additional pictures at their website at www.foxjump.com/gram