Mary Redfield

MARY ELIZABETH "BETTY" REDFIELD
Jan. 17, 1937-Sept. 24, 2025
ALFRED-Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Redfield entered her eternal rest on Friday, Sept. 24, 2025, after a difficult journey with Alzheimer's.
Formerly of Liverpool and North Syracuse, she most recently made her home in Alfred, where she joined her daughter's family.
Born during a snowstorm on Jan. 17, 1937, in Syracuse, Betty was the daughter of Scott F. Redfield and Dorothy (McCarthy) Redfield. The nickname "Betty" came early, as there were already several Mary's in the family.
A lifelong learner, Betty loved education and discovery. She often said her favorite school subjects were geography and spelling because "they opened new worlds." She spent portions of her childhood studying in Ireland and at a boarding school in Scotland following her mother's passing.
Upon returning to the States, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Philosophy from Le Moyne College in Syracuse and later completed her Master's in Mental Health Counseling at SUNY Brockport while working full-time.
Betty worked as a career counselor for the New York State Department of Labor from 1972 until her retirement in 2002. Her deep compassion and insight made her a trusted guide for countless individuals navigating change. In 2003, she was honored as Retiree of the Year by the International Association of Workforce Professionals in recognition of her dedicated service.
Even as Alzheimer's took much of her memory, talking about her support group always brought her joy. Betty had been granted special permission to host an after-hours support group for those suddenly unemployed-many of whom stayed in touch for decades, a testament to how sincerely she touched people's lives.
Betty loved deeply, especially her family. Though spread from Europe to across the U.S., she loved to show her affection in countless ways. As the eldest of four siblings, she was overjoyed when the family reunited in 2023 after years apart-two coming from Germany and one from Arizona.
From her daughter's earliest memories, Betty's home was a welcoming place where friends and family were always invited to stop in for a visit.
A friend once said Betty was "always a giver." Whether it was a listening ear, a temporary home, or a warm hug, she gave from her heart. She also volunteered for six years with Hospice in Syracuse, offering comfort and care to others in their final days.
Betty called herself a lifelong learner and was always eager to explore new interests. She enjoyed years as a "birder," delighting in the chickadees and cardinals that visited her suet feeders. She was also a passionate photographer, beginning with her 35mm camera and later mastering digital photography as technology evolved.
After purchasing her home in 1991, Betty poured her heart into creating lush gardens filled with dahlias, hydrangeas, roses, hostas, and peonies. She preferred garden paths to lawns, designing her backyard as both sanctuary and habitat for the many birds and wildlife who visited daily. During her stay at Highland Park Nursing Home she loved watching the deer and the occasional hummingbird come out to visit her on the pavilion.
True to her curiosity, she took her learning to another level, enrolling in adult education courses in electrical work and woodworking. She loved the challenge of mastering new skills, never afraid to get her hands dirty or learn something completely new.
Betty was predeceased by her parents, Dorothy (McCarthy) Redfield and Scott Forrest Redfield, son William Hotaling, and Charles D. Hotaling, her husband of twenty years.
She is survived by her siblings: Scott Redfield (AZ), Carol (Detlef) Redfield and John (Birgit) Redfield of Germany. Daughter Dorothy (Gerald) Snyder, (Alfred) and son Charles (Donna) Hotaling (VA) along with several grandchildren and many great-grandchildren who carry forward her love of learning and her generous spirit.
She will be remembered for her curiosity, her compassion, and the way she made every person feel seen and valued. Her home, her heart, and her gardens were open to all.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship, Randolph Road, Alfred.
Arrangements are with Brown and Powers Funeral Home. Online condolences and memories of Betty may be expressed at https://www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com. Or on Facebook @ Brown Powers FH.