Betty Lou Stebbins, 88, of Upper Grimes Rd. Port Allegany, passed away Thursday (September 26, 2024) at her home with her daughter by her side.

She was born September 17, 1936 in Port Allegany, the daughter of the late Leslie and Marie (Cummings) Crowe. 

She was a 1955 graduate of Port Allegany. While in high school she loved to go to the dances held at the local hall.  She was a true Gator fan always in the stands cheering them on.  After her children were grown, she would still follow the Gators in the local sports newspaper. After her children were all raised, she took some classes for cake decorating, flower arrangement, crafts, photography, computer, and sign language. 

On January 28, 1956, in Port Allegany, she married her only true love Milton O. Stebbins.   In 2016 they celebrated their 80th birthdays and their 60th Anniversary with their loving family and friends.  Her husband passed away March 23, 2018 on their son Mark’s birthday, who had passed away in 1999.   

Mrs. Stebbins was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family was the love of her life. 

Every year, Mrs. Stebbins would enter the McKeen County fair with Watercress and flower arrangements from her own garden. She always came home with 1st place, only a couple of 2nd place winners. She also enjoyed being in the Red Hat Sisters, and the Enchanted Mountain Country Dancers. 

Mrs. Stebbins was very supportive of our local military men and woman.  She donated and put many boxes together to send out to them. The 1991 Troop Salute celebration parade was very special to her, she got the F16 flyover and watched with proud tears in her eyes as they flew over honoring our local military.  She helped provide information for the Veterans War Memorial.  Another proud moment was when she had the bridge on Rt 155 named the “Port Allegany Veterans Memorial Bridge.”

As soon as Betty turned 16, she went to work at Daniel’s Restaurant where she worked with her Grandmother Clara (Peterson) Cummings and her mother Marie (Cummings) Crowe.  She also helped her parents with pumping gas at the Lookout on Lynn Hall hill.  She was a loving wife and stay-at- home mom of 5 children until her youngest went to school. During that time, she made clothes for the Cameo Doll Factory and was a babysitter for family and neighborhood friends. She did a lot of baking, gardening, canning and sewing.

In 1977 she went to work at the Market Basket in the Deli dept. where she retired from.  She was a local Avon President Club representative for many years. 

Mrs. Stebbins was very proud of being a Girl Scout Leader for 15+yrs.  So much so that she started the 1st Daisy group here in Port Allegany.  She was the Cookie Chairman and the local Neighborhood Treasurer. 

In 1959 she became a member of the Royal Neighbors of America. In 1963 she was elected as Oracle to be the Head of the group. 

Mrs. Stebbins was the Minority Inspector of Elections for Liberty Township, a trustee of the Grimes Cemetery Association, a board member for PTO Port Allegany School, and was involved with many historical Societies including the Canoe Place. Where they celebrated their 25th Anniversary party. 

Betty was a life member of the Star Hose Ladies Auxiliary.  She also was a member of the VFW Post 6391, and the Moose Lodge #460 both of Port Allegany. 

She is survived by three children: Catherine (Mick) O’Brian of Smethport, Jeffery (Crystal) Stebbins of Monument, CO, Corinne Stebbins (Matthew Washington) Thirteen grandchildren: Nathan (Laura) O’Brian, Kylee (Brian) Little Jeffery, Andrew, and Mark Stebbins, Hunter and Sierra Brandt, Shannon (Megan) Yeager, Bryon Stebbins (Jessica Jones), Margo and Mary Stebbins, Ashley (Shane) Rice and Joshuah Lewis.   Nine great grandchildren. 

Also surviving is her Uncle Francis Cummings.  Her sister Donna  Blose passed shortly after Betty. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Milton, two sons Mark and Brian Stebbins, two brothers Ralph and Thomas Crowe and two sisters Helene Turner and Nancy Wythe

The Stebbins family would like to give a heartwarming special Thank You to the Family Hospice UPMC.  As a Team we were able to have our mom home for her final days. Marty and Faith are a blessing.

A celebration of life will be held on this Friday Oct 25th at the VFW from 4-6 open to the public. 

A Private Burial with Chapel Mike Culver will be in the Grimes Cemetery, Port Allegany.  

Memorials, if desired, may be made to The Grimes Cemetery Association, Port Allegany Fire Department or the Port Allegany Ambulance Association. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.