Shrewsbury – Betty M. (Greening) Wigsten, 93, of Shrewsbury, formerly of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 10, 2021. She was the beloved wife of 63 years to the late Warren M. Wigsten.
Betty was the only child of the late Charles and Eva (Clark) Greening of Middletown, N.Y. She graduated from Middletown High School in 1945 and Cornell University in 1949 where she studied Home Economics Education. Betty excelled at her studies and was elected to leadership positions in several honors societies and graduated first in her class.
Through mutual friends, Betty met farmer and businessman Warren Wigsten, also a Cornell graduate. They married in June 1953 and city girl Betty moved to live on Wigsten’s Highline Farm in Pleasant Valley, N.Y. With a twinkle in her eye, Betty often shared that her new mother-in-law gave her this advice, “Betty, just never learn to milk the cows and you’ll be fine.” Betty took this advice and concentrated on making her home a place of happiness, welcome, good food and laughter.
After several years as a full-time mother and homemaker, Betty returned to teaching in 1968 working in Arlington Central Schools first working at LaGrange Jr. High and then at Titusville Middle School. As a teacher for over 20 years, Betty was recognized as a leader in her school, welcoming co-ed classes, piloting new programs and always making her classroom a place where students who struggled in other areas found a listening ear.
In addition to dedication to her family and teaching career, Betty was involved in a long list of community organizations. She loved her church, where she served as elder, started a junior choir, worked as a Sunday school teacher and Summer Bible camp coordinator. In her later years she worked at the church Bargain Basement thrift shop. Even in her late 80s, Betty insisted on lifting the heavy boxes and furniture to “pull her weight!”
Betty was also a dedicated volunteer with the Pleasant Valley Library, Meals on Wheels, Cooperative Extension and the Dutchess County Fair, where she was the head judge for the baked goods division for many years. She was a leader of the Junior and Senior Snippers 4-H clubs guiding them to many blue ribbons and competition wins.
Betty will be greatly missed by her three children, Paul Wigsten and his companion Sally Dobratz of Holden, Susan King and husband John of Shrewsbury, and Ellen Cannon and husband Mark of Madrid, Spain. She took great pride and joy in her grandchildren, Rachael and Alyssa King; Katie, Emily and Tim Cannon, and Will Juchem. She will also be missed by her brother-in-law, Murray Wigsten of Weare, N.H., and her nieces and nephews, whom she dearly loved to host at the farm.
A memorial service will be held on Aug. 28, 12 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, Main St., Pleasant Valley, NY 12569.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley or to the Pleasant Valley Free Library.
