Betty (Watkins-Mapes) Bond

Betty Anita (Watkins-Mapes) Bond

Age 85, of Hector, New York entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, December 1, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born in Baltimore, Maryland on March 10, 1940 to Cecil H. and Barbara J. (Hoerner) Watkins. She was later adopted by Kenneth J. and Shirley M. Mapes of Burdett, NY. She lived with her Mapes family on the family dairy farm on Matthews Road throughout her childhood. She always referred back to her life on the farm as “her happy place” and “a piece of heaven”. Betty attended Watkins Glen High School.

On March 30, 1957, she married James H. Bond of Hector. She took pride and joy in being a mother to her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Her love for her many pets over the years was immeasurable. In 1978, Betty founded, and was the first president of the women’s auxiliary for The Valois-Logan-Hector Fire Department. She was one of Schuyler County’s foster parents to numerous displaced children for 26 years. Betty was also employed by both Schuyler Hospital skilled nursing and Classen’s of Ithaca NY as a devoted nurse’s and in-home health care aid.

Betty ‘s hobbies started in her younger years with her love of horses. She was also a 4-H leader, an accomplished seamstress and cake decorator. Betty also loved her flowers and gardening. Betty is survived by her loving companion and best friend, John Munroe of Hector, NY. Her sons, James H. (Debbra)Bond lll of Hector, NY. Jerry L. Bond of Hector, NY, and Jason A. (Janine) Bond of Burdett, NY. Her daughters, Jennifer L. (Joel) Burris-Bond of Watkins Glen, NY, and Betty Jo Palmer of Groton, NY; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Her sisters, Jeanne (Eugene) Yarussi of Ithaca, NY, Patricia (Robert) Laughlin of Ruther Glen, VA, Vera “Punky” Jennings of Florida, Karen (Jody) Randall of Sanford, NC, Lois Jean “Pixie” (Gary) Salberg of Moravia, NY, and Lisa (Cal) Matsumoto of Washington, DC; brothers, Kenneth J. (Margaret) Mapes Jr. of Rochester, NY, and Ronald Watkins of Texas. Betty is predeceased by her husband, James H. Bond Jr., birth parents, Cecil and Barbara Watkins, loving adoptive parents, Kenneth and Shirley Mapes, sisters Donna Swope, Linda Mutro, and Vicky Presley, and brother Joseph Watkins.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date for her loving family, and friends to gather in her honor.

Betty has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Hector Playground Project or to The Valois-Logan-Hector Fire Department. Arrangements with Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home of Watkins Glen.