Obituary of Mary Tillema

Niskayuna - Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Tillema, 92, of Pearse Road, died Thursday, December 8, 2016 under hospice care at Ellis Hospital, following a gradual decline in health. Betty was born on January 18, 1924 to the late Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Foley) Mercier. She grew up in Glens Falls, NY and was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy and Mildred Elley Business School, Albany. She was employed by the General Electric Company, where she met her husband, Eugene. They married in 1948 and she worked there until starting their family in 1949. Betty enjoyed league bowling for many years and loved her trips to Hawaii, casinos and the Saratoga Race Track. Her family all enjoyed her home-cooked meals, as she was the greatest cook of all! She was an avid Dallas Cowboys football fan, cheering them on every Sunday. She was simply the best! She was predeceased by her husband, Eugene Tillema; and her sister, Dorothy Eastman. Betty is survived by her son, Gary Tillema; daughters, Debbie Tillema and Lisa (Michael) Bartlett; granddaughter, Laura (Kevin) Bender. Also surviving is her brother, Joseph (Marie) Mercier; sisters-in-law, Margaret Furness, Florence Barnes and Mary Tillema; as well as many nieces and nephews. A service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan Street, Schenectady. A calling hour is from 12 to 1 p.m. Entombment will be at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery Mausoleum, Troy-Schenectady Road, Niskayuna. Contributions, in memory of Betty, may be made to the Schenectady County ARC, 214 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305