Elizabeth "Betty" Nolan Sheffield, of Camillus, passed away Wednesday at Francis House. After spending her early years in Auburn, she lived in Camillus. A 1998 graduate of OCC with a degree in Human Services, she received the Dorothy A. Kelly Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. She also attended Le Moyne College where she pursued a degree in sociology. Betty was employed by Catholic Charities in their food program and St. Lucy's School where she taught a pre-school program. Her greatest attribute was her willingness to help others through her lifelong volunteering. This included Eucharistic minister for Van Duyn Home & Hospital and for Community General Hospital, NYS Ombudsman to St. Camillus Health & Rehabilitation Center, The Ignatius Lay Ministry, Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts of America, St. Joseph's food pantry and bereavement committee, funeral guild and resettlement of Bosnian refugees. Betty was associated with the Head Start Program and Downtown Emergency Service and was a former Republican committee woman. She restarted the Orchard Village Homeowners Assn., started the Neighborhood Watch in Orchard Village and conducted Our Lady of Pompei After School Program. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Robert, in 1991. Surviving are her children, Dr. Steven (Susan) Sheffield of Crofton, MD, David (Norma) Sheffield of Norco, CA, Diane (John) Clendenin of East Syracuse and Susan Sheffield of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Carly and Robert Sheffield; and Aaron and Adam Clendenin. Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Holy Family Church where a funeral Mass will be celebrated. Relatives and friends may call Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. Betty will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery, Warners. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208 or to WAVES, 202 Bennett Rd., Camillus, NY 13031.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard on March 19, 2010