“beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt”

GOUVERNEUR, NY—Betty M. Kjelgaard Paul, 83, of Gouverneur, formerly of Galeton, Pa., passed away with her loving family by her side on Thursday, October 26, 2023, in Samaritan Hospital, Watertown, NY.

Born on Friday, May 17, 1940 in Waverly, NY, she was a daughter of Henry H. and Ruth L. Stout Kjelgaard.  On April 26, 1986 in Coudersport, she married Arthur “Sam” Paul, who survives.

Betty was a graduate of Athens High School in Athens, PA.  She was employed at various jobs throughout the years.  Her last job and the one she enjoyed the most was her position as a teacher’s aide at Gouverneur East Elementary School. 

She enjoyed her hobby as an artist, being one of the first to use saw blades, fungus and mailboxes as her medium.  Betty also enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and traveling.  Above those enjoyments, she loved the holidays, Thanksgiving was “a feast” and Christmas was her favorite holiday.  Her greatest love was her family.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband; four children, Micki (Dave) Jones of Coudersport, Leslee (Mike) Reese of Mars Hill, NC, Todd (Cheryl) Coole of Coudersport, and Matthew (Malou) Coole of Kenai, Alaska; two stepchildren, Kathy (Bryan) McCandless of Stanfield NC and Sandy (Drew) Koch of Lansing, NY; eleven grandchildren, Jason (Michelle) Jones, Isaac (Sylvia) Jones, Brianna (Abe) Kightlinger, Maverick Raber, Angela Williams, Stephanie (Jason) Massey, Devin (Erin) Raber, Crystal (Drew) Etheridge, Faith Coole, Madel Coole, and Eli Coole; eight step-grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two nephews, John (Julie) Nosal and David (Rhonda) Nosal; a niece, Lori (Brad) Weeden; and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

In addition to her parents, Betty was predeceased by a sister, Barbara Nosal Letson.

Family and friends may call from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse, where funeral services will follow at 6pm with the Rev. Russell J. Horning, of Shinglehouse, officiating.  Betty will be laid to rest with her parents in the Rathbone Cemetery, Coneville, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Betty’s name may be made to LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve, 497 PA 244, Oswayo, PA 16915 or to Teacher’s Pet Rescue, 19 Blackberry Lane, Coudersport, PA 16915.

Betty’s family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences, light a candle, or share a fond memory of Betty, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.