Obituary of Betty Jean Otander

Betty Jean Otander, 85, formerly of 34 E. 5th Street WE, passed away Sunday morning, Jan. 14, 2024 at Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing. She was born in Jamestown Sept. 6, 1938 and was a daughter of the late Harold Scholin, Sr. and Miranda King Scholin Hitchcock. Betty was a 1956 graduate of Southwestern Central School. She had been employed by Real Estate Advantage as a bookkeeper and secretary, working until the age of 80. She belonged to the Audubon Nature Center and enjoyed attending shows at Chautauqua Institution during the summer. Betty's home was her sanctuary. She loved being on her back deck watching the birds and the deer in her yard, looking at her flowers, and gardening. Surviving is her daughter, Jodelle Nelson Hess (Scott) of Lawrenceville, PA; a son, Jeffrey Nelson (Christine) of Coal Township, PA; four grandchildren: Matthew Montondo (Jane), Lindsay Cochran (Nick), Andrew Nelson, and Travis Nelson; and four great-grandchildren: Hadley Green, Noah Cochran, Sylas Cochran, and Ruby Jane Nelson. Betty loved her dog, Milly, along with numerous furry friends over the years. She had many cherished friendships during her life, particularly four close friends in recent years, Richard Benedetto, Barbara Johnson, Chrissy Vangeli, and Rebecca Fardink. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Ford Hitchcock; a son, Randall S. Otander II; brother, Harold Scholin, Jr.; stepsiblings, Mildred Larson and Richard Butts; and nephews, John Larson and Greg Larson. Following Betty Jean's wishes, there will be no service or visitation. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ashville.