Betterly Bales

Betterly Dell Osborn Bales passed away peacefully in Erie, Pennsylvania on January 11, 2025, leaving a legacy of love, service, and devotion to her family, community, and passions. 

She is survived by her two sons, Robert W. Bales, M.D. (Mary) and Andrew O. Bales (Rebecca); her five grandchildren, Jessica (James), Jillian, Jacob, Charlotte, and Brooke; and her nieces, Laura Bales Barrows (Paul) and Susan Bales Anderson. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 52 years, Dr. Charles Ross Bales; her parents, Hilda and Earl Osborn; her sister, Gay-Ann Osborn; and her brother- and sister in-law, Harold W. Bales, M.D., and Gertrude A. Bales, M.D. 

Born on November 16, 1933, Betterly was raised in Fulton, New York. She embodied a deep love for life and learning. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University, a place she remained deeply connected to throughout her life. She was a proud and passionate fan of Syracuse basketball and football, cheering on her Orange with unwavering enthusiasm. 

She married Dr. Charles Bales in 1964, and together, they embarked on a life of adventure, love, and service. Early in their marriage, Charles pursued medical school in Rochester, and Betterly worked at the Xerox Corporation. They started a family and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where Charles completed a residency in plastic surgery. In 1974, the couple volunteered on the floating hospital, The Good Ship Hope, a testament to their shared commitment to improving lives. Their dedication to service continued with over a dozen trips to Haiti, where Charles served as a volunteer surgeon at Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, while Betterly managed their household and became a cornerstone of support for their mission. 

The Bales family made Erie, Pennsylvania, their home in 1971 where Charles established a distinguished medical practice. Behind the scenes, Betterly was the backbone of the operation, managing the day-today office administration with remarkable efficiency and poise. At home, she was the family’s guiding light-an exceptional homemaker with a green thumb, love of baking and cooking, and a talented seamstress adding a personal and creative touch to her household. She also cherished travel, exploring destinations from Florida to the Caribbean, as well as iconic cities like Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco, always finding joy in discovering new places and experiences. Betterly’s dedication to her community was unwavering. She served on the Board of Directors for the Erie Day School and volunteered with several organizations, including the Medical Auxiliary and the Syracuse University Alumni Club of Northwest Pennsylvania. She was a role model of selflessness, always ready to lend her time and talents to causes close to her heart. A woman of many gifts, Betterly found joy in the simple pleasures of life – cheering for her beloved Syracuse teams, tending to her plants, or knitting thoughtful creations for those she loved. Above all, she cherished her family, which was her greatest source of pride and joy. 

Friends may call at Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc. West Ridge, 3801 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506 at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 8th. A Service of Remembrance will follow at 3:30 p.m. Betterly will be laid to rest beside her husband at The Oswego Town Rural Cemetery, 242 Cemetery Road, Oswego, New York at a later date. In her memory, we celebrate a life marked by love, kindness, and an unwavering dedication to family, friends, and community. Betterly Dell Osborn Bales will forever be remembered as a shining example of grace and generosity. 

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