ILION-Elizabeth Jane Smith Betty age 72, of Arlington Avenue, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, October 1, 2012. She fought a hard fight but died with dignity and peace with her girls by her side along with loving family support. She was born on October 25, 1939 in Columbia Center, daughter of the late Sanford and Jessie Becraft Penner. A lifelong area resident she was raised in Utica where she graduated from Proctor High School with the class of 1957. She was predeceased by Richard Smith in 2009. Along with being a wife, mother and homemaker Betty had first worked for Doeskin Tissue Manufacturing Company in Utica and for more than twenty-five years as a nursing assistant at Saint Elizabeths Medical Center, Utica. She also worked part time for the Mohawk Homestead in Mohawk. She retired in 1996. Mrs. Smith had a strong belief in God and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church Herkimer/Little Falls. The church was a very important part of her life. She spent many hours in the church kitchen helping with the preparations for dinners, rummage and craft sales and may other functions. She was also involved with many of the church committees. Betty was a people person and enjoyed her membership with the North Utica Senior Citizens, doing crafts and gardening. To all who knew her she was a loving, caring, and hopeful person who was happiest when she was surrounded by her many friends and family, especially her cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be truly missed. Surviving are her three daughters and their husbands, Robin and Gary Heimstead of Zephyrhills, Fl, Rhonda and Ken Hamilton of Herkimer, Renee and Bob Williams of Mohawk, a brother, Richard Penner and his wife Pat of Buffalo, two sisters, Ruth Szymko of Utica, Lillian James of Westernville, ten grandchildren, Erica Miller, Gabriel, Gaevin, Julian and Sarah Duffy, Patrick and Ryan Hamilton, Lauren, Tristen and Brianna Williams, four great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and her best friend Betty Anne Pinskey of Utica. Besides her parents and Richard she was preceded in death by three brothers, Frank, William and Charles Butch Penner and two sisters, Elpha Sinclair and Sarah White. Funeral services will take place on Saturday at 11:00 am in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street; Herkimer. The Reverend Janet Gleason, pastor of the First United Methodist Church Herkimer/Little Falls will officiate. Interment will follow in Carr Cemetery, Town of Marcy. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Friday from 5:00 until 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the First United Methodist Church Herkimer/Little Falls or Hospice & Palliative Care. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.