Tillema, Mary Elizabeth "Betty" NISKAYUNA Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Tillema, 92, of Pearse Road, died on Thursday, December 8, 2016, under hospice care at Ellis Hospital following a gradual decline in health. Betty was born on January 18, 1924, to the late Joseph and Mary Elizabeth (Foley) Mercier. She grew up in Glens Falls and was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy and Mildred Elley Business School, Albany. She was employed by the General Electric Company where she met her husband, Eugene. They married in 1948 and she worked there until starting their family in 1949. Betty enjoyed league bowling for many years and loved her trips to Hawaii, casinos and the Saratoga Race Track. Her family all enjoyed her home-cooked meals, as she was the greatest cook of all! She was an avid Dallas Cowboys football fan, cheering them on every Sunday. She was simply the best! She was predeceased by her husband, Eugene Tillema; and her sister, Dorothy Eastman. Betty is survived by her son, Gary Tillema; daughters, Debbie Tillema and Lisa (Michael) Bartlett; and granddaughter, Laura (Kevin) Bender. Also surviving is her brother, Joseph (Marie) Mercier; sisters-in-law, Margaret Furness, Florence Barnes and Mary Tillema; as well as many nieces and nephews. A service will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. A calling hour will be from 12 to 1 p.m. Entombment will be in the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery Mausoleum, on Troy-Schenectady Road, Niskayuna. Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to the Schenectady County A.R.C., 214 State St., Schenectady, NY 12305.