Betty Lou Witt

Betty Lou Witt of Henrietta, New York, passed away peacefully in her home of seventy years on April 30, 2026, at the age of ninety-six, surrounded by her loved ones as she entered into eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born in Trinidad, Colorado, on August 22, 1929, to the late Henry and Amanda Setser. Betty Lou was raised on her family’s dairy farm until the age of fifteen, when her mother passed away. In the years that followed, she spent time with her father, lived for a period with her sister in Trinidad, and spent a year in California with a cousin before returning home to finish high school.

At nineteen, she met the love of her life, Hans Witt, who was boarding at her aunt’s home while attending Trinidad State Junior College for gunsmithing on the GI Bill. It was love at first sight, and just three months later they were married in the living room of a pastor in New Mexico. After Hans completed school, the couple settled in his hometown of Rochester, New York, where he had secured employment at The Gun Shop. Together they raised five children in Henrietta.

Betty Lou devoted herself to caring for her family and home as a dedicated homemaker before later working part-time as a secretary at Basom Animal Hospital and subsequently at Brighton Animal Hospital.

She was predeceased by Hans, her beloved husband of forty-six years, and by her sisters, Ethel, Mildred, Lola Mae, and Helen.

Betty Lou is survived by her five children, Deborah (Ronald) McMullan, Lorrie Kirk, Hans (Richard Scott) Witt, Frederick (Rebecca) Witt, and Christopher (Jean) Witt, as well as Joy Witt and Jim Kirk, who remained cherished members of the family. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, James (Sandy) Kirk, Mandy (Kenny) Fauls, Sarah (Jason) Stoos, Jill McMullan, Brian Witt, Jonathan McMullan, and Nicole (Nick) Novak; and, as she lovingly considered “the icing on her cake,” her ten great-grandchildren: Brenan, Devin, Elliot, Hudson, Samantha, Seren, Liam, Alani, Natalie, and Vincent, along with many cherished nieces and nephews.

Betty Lou’s deep faith and personal relationship with Jesus were evident in her devotion to her church and church family. She loved singing in the choir, performing duets with Mae Probst, teaching Sunday school, and faithfully serving in many other roles within the church. For more than fifty-five years, she hosted and participated in Bible study groups. She will be remembered for her love of Jesus, her compassionate spirit, and her unwavering dedication to prayer. If she met you, she prayed for you. She was a force — a force for Jesus.

One of Betty Lou’s greatest joys was gathering for Sunday picnics — always after church — at Mendon Ponds, Letchworth, and Stony Brook State Parks. Betty Lou loved people and a Sunday picnic was never complete with just family. She wanted to include friends, lots of friends, and the more the merrier.

She had a special love for songbirds and anxiously awaited the return of her wrens to their “summer home” where they nested in her maple tree. She also delighted in collecting mouse figurines, a hobby lovingly encouraged by family and friends over the years. Betty Lou especially enjoyed flowers, classical music, family gatherings, and the laughter and energy of her great-grandchildren. In later years, Betty Lou found meaningful friendship at the Henrietta Senior Center, where she enjoyed activities, exercise classes, and time spent with friends.

Betty Lou loved people and rarely desired a moment alone. To know Betty Lou was truly to love her.

A celebration of Betty Lou’s life will be held at Crossroads Church (1574 Rochester Street, Lima, New York 14485) on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., immediately preceding the service.

For those unable to attend the service it will be live streamed at https://ccny.us/youtube

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lima Christian School. https://www.limachristian.org/giving