Obituary of Betty M. Nobbs

Betty M. (McGraw) Nobbs, 96, of 4877 West Lake Road, Mayville, formerly of Chautauqua Institution and Sugar Grove, PA, passed away Wednesday November 14, 2018 in her home. A Sugar Grove resident until 1972 and a Chautauqua resident to present, she was born November 25, 1921, in Jamestown, NY, the daughter of Fred and Alice (Ecklund) McGraw. Mrs. Nobbs was a 1939 graduate of Sugar Grove Union High School and worked as a school secretary until her children were teenagers. She attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, after the death of her son, receiving her B.S. in Education (1970) and M.S. in Education (1973). Betty enjoyed her teaching career, retiring from her 1st grade classroom in 1985. She and her husband (Sidney E. Nobbs) traveled extensively and enjoyed winters in their Green Valley, AZ home. Together they owned and operated Tamarac, on Ames, and the Penn Arms Apartments, on Vincent, in Chautauqua for more than 40 years. During that time she was a lifetime member of the Bird, Tree and Garden Club and the C.L.S.C. She was a former president of the Sugar Grove A.M. Auxiliary, and the longest member of the First Presbyterian Church of Sugar Grove. Betty enjoyed volunteering at her local Food Pantry, chatting with friends at her local bank, grocery, and the Dollar General, but her favorite activity was going to the Vikings with nephew John McGraw, and his wife Beverly, to play the tickets or win a toy for their beloved puppy, Bitsy. She was an animal lover, never missing a morning to feed and watch her crows, ducks (Mac and Quack), and little peeps enjoy their goodies or cuddling with her beloved cats, Kiki, Spook, and Chance. She loved to laugh and shared her humor in poems and short stories, allowing family and friends many memorable moments. She is survived by her daughter Barbara J. "Bobbi" (John) Krout of Ithaca, NY; a grandson, Thomas H. (Stephanie) Tutmaher and two great-grandchildren: Matthew D. and Sydnie I. Tutmaher of Mayville; and one sister Lois Hitchcock of Busti. Mrs. Nobbs was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Sidney E. Nobbs, son Thomas H. Nobbs, who passed away in April 1962; a grandson, Thomas P. Tutmaher, two brothers Howard and James McGraw, and a sister Jane McGraw. A private graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. No visitation will be observed. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family suggests that memorials be made to the animal welfare organization, Best Friends, or the ASPCA.