May 10, 1935 – February 2, 2026
Betty Jane Lounsbury Ditcher, died February 2, 2026 at the age of 90, at Olean General Hospital following a long illness.
Born May 10, 1935 at home in Ashford, NY, she was the daughter of the late Albert Lynn and Gertrude Mary Senear Lounsbury. She was married June 18, 1955 in Holy Name of Mary RC Church, Ellicottville, to Neel Stanley Ditcher, who predeceased her in 2018. She lived in Great Valley throughout most of her life.
She grew up and attended school in Willoughby and Ellicottville, graduating from Ellicottville Central School in 1954.
After graduation, she was employed at Speer Resister in Bradford. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years raising their seven children and she watched Emily Chiariello, daughter of her dear friends, Dr. Michael and Judy Chiariello. Once the children were all in school, she was employed as a Special Education Aide at the Ellicottville BOCES Center and then later transferred to Salamanca. She retired after 30 years and then continued as a sub for many more years at the Salamanca High School BOCES. All the kids loved her!
Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family, camping, traveling, and boating. She was known and loved by anyone that knew her!
She was a member of the Great Valley Home Bureau, Holy Name of Mary RC Church, Holy Name of Mary Ladies Auxiliary, Great Valley Senior Group, and the Salamanca Library.
Surviving are: two daughters, Jean (Brian) Davis, Great Valley, Susan (Rich) Mertowski, Springville; three sons, Frank (Rosie Harrington) Ditcher, Thomas Ditcher, both of Great Valley, Brian Ditcher, formerly of Great Valley; eight grandchildren, Mark, Erika, John, Ryan, Amanda, Lance, Larry, and Samantha; four great-grandchildren, Jane, Alyson, Aalyiah, and Lincoln; two brothers-in-law; Joseph (Linda) Ditcher and Floyd Beeles; many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two sons, James Ditcher and Kris Ditcher; four brothers, Robert Lounsbury, Lynn Lounsbury and his wife Mary Ann Lounsbury, Harold Lounsbury, Dale Lounsbury; and sister-in-law, Beverly Sue (Floyd) Beeles.
Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Thursday, February 5, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at which time funeral services with Rev. Charles Johnson of Holy Name of Mary RC Church officiating.
Burial will be in Green Cemetery, Great Valley, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Western New York Alzheimer’s Association, 6400 Sheridan Drive #320, Buffalo, NY 14221, Ellicottville/Great Valley Ambulance Service, PO Box 74, Ellicottville, NY 14731, or Seneca EMS, 90 Ohi:yo’ Way, Salamanca, NY 14779.
E-condolences can be sent to orourke.oroukefh@gamil.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.
