Betty Jane Lounsbury Ditcher

GREAT VALLEY — Betty Jane Lounsbury Ditcher died Monday (Feb. 2, 2026) at the age of 90, at Olean General Hospital, following a long illness.

Born May 10, 1935, at home in Ashford, 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!

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.

Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family, camping, traveling and boating. She was known and loved by anyone that knew her!

Surviving are two daughters, Jean (Brian) Davis of Great Valley and Susan (Rich) Mertowski of Springville; three sons, Frank (Rosie Harrington) Ditcher and Thomas Ditcher, both of Great Valley, and 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; and 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 and Dale Lounsbury; and sister-in-law, Beverly Sue (Floyd) Beeles.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday (Feb. 5, 2026) at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Funeral Home, 25 River St., Salamanca, 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.

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, P.O. 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.