Celebration of a Full Life: Betty Schenk

In Memory by Lilah Kaiden-Weil

On a recent Sunday afternoon, the Friends of the Pittsford Community Library held a memorial event in memory of Betty Schenk. Betty was a most highly esteemed member of the Friends of the Pittsford Community Library, having been a past president and working in various roles to support the organizations work for decades. Her friend, and past President, Neil Richards wrote his memories of Betty, which were shared during the memorial held in the Fisher Room of the Pittsford Community Library.

To perhaps help those in the audience that never met Betty gain a better appreciation for her importance to the organization, Neil shared that whenever there was overwhelming chaos of one kind of another in the sorting room, the go to phrase became, “Ask Betty!” because she would have the answer. Betty created a legacy of service that the Friends of the Pittsford Community Library will work to continue.

One thing that might not have been as well known about Betty before today is her love of monarch butterflies. In her honor, a talk on the subject was organized by Friends and lead by John Nelson from the Cornell Extension. Attendees were able to enter to win monarch butterfly themed door prizes.

Betty Schenk has made a lasting impression not only on the Friends organization, but also the community in which she lived. It’s easy to take for granted the work we don’t see others doing. We all have undoubtedly benefited from Betty’s dedication in bringing literary and technological resources to the Pittsford Community Library.