On March 27, 2010 Betty Cushing Griffin Allinger went to be with our Lord. She passed peacefully surrounded by her family at Hospicare in Ithaca, New York. A longtime resident of Longview at Ithacare, Betty was born in Albany, New York on September 5, 1916. Her family moved to Utica in 1917. She was educated in Utica schools and graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1934. Betty then attended Leland Powers School of Theater and Radio in Boston Massachusetts, graduating n 1938. An accomplished actress, she began her radio career at WHDH in Boston. She was hired by WIBX in Utica, NY in August of 1939 and quickly became Director of Educational Programming for the station. During her tenure at WIBX, she was the voice of Munger’s Department Store. For 15 years Betty wrote, directed and produced radio dramatizations of the classics in literature for a program called “Youth Presents” which featured the acting of area high school students.
In the 1940’s, she was named Production Manager of WIBX and during the war years was an announcer and control room operator and became one of the first women newscasters on radio. In 1955, she married Utica radio personality, Ralph Allinger. They had three sons.
Throughout her life she served in many leadership roles including the board of the New York State FM network, she was the first woman to serve on the Board of Directors of the Utica YMCA and co-created the Mother’s Club. Betty also served on the Parish Council at Our Lady of the Rosary in Utica, was a charter member of the Catholic Syracuse Diocesan Pastoral Council. In Ithaca, she was an honorary recipient of the Twenty Outstanding Women You Should Know Award, was a volunteer for My Brother’s Keeper in Dryden NY and, into her 90’s, served as an officer on the Board of Directors of Longview at Ithacare.
Her lifelong love of working with youth led to many years of teaching public speaking at Our Lady of Lourdes in Utica, NY, the creation of the Notre Dame/Utica Catholic Academy Speech Club and, in her later years, working with the students at Ithaca College which included a feature role in the National Award winning “Cellflix” video “Assisted Living” by Zack Wilson.
Betty was predeceased by her husband of 16 years, Ralph C. Allinger Sr. and her parents, Charles L. and Elizabeth Cushing Griffin. She is survived by her children Ralph (Deborah) Allinger Jr., Michael (Sylvia) Allinger, Christopher (Brigid) Allinger, ‘adopted’ Leona Perreault; beloved grandchildren Amanda, Leila, Jesstina, Jessie-Emma, Zachary, Stephen and Stephanie; great grandchildren Anthony, Paige, Wyatt and Alyss. Betty is also survived by her cousin James Cushing of Phoenix, Arizona and many dear friends and colleagues.
Memorial Information:
The family of Elizabeth (Betty) Allinger invite friends to a Mass of Remembrance. Please join us at Longview, 1 Bella Vista Drive in Ithaca, on Saturday, April 24 at 10:00AM.
Friends may call on Tuesday, March 30th from 4 to 7 PM at Heintz Funeral Home 1517 Whitesboro Street, Utica, NY. A Funeral Mass will be offered at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Burrstone Road, New Hartford, NY on Wednesday, March 31st at 10:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, it is Betty’s wish that memorials be made to Longview, an Ithacare Community, 1 Bella Vista Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850
Dearest Allinger Family,
“Mom” was and will always be the most special person in our hearts and minds. She was a joy to know, and filled everyone’s heart with a gladness few others could ever do.
Please know that she and all of you in our thoughts and prayers. My your memories of “Mom” bring you peace in this time of sadness, and know that she will always be with you.
John and Karen Comisi
Dear Ralph, Michael, Chris and Families,
I was sorry to hear of your mother’s death. The obituary was a beautiful one, a well-deserved tribute to an amazing woman. Your mother taught me and my siblings speech at Lourdes (myself in 1964-65). She was a brilliant and fascinating teacher! Chris and Mike went to Lourdes with my younger sister, Katy, and brother, John (Dick). I also remember your father well. What a gentleman and what a wonderful voice! I am sure you will miss your mother deeply but I was so glad to see that she lived such an involved life for so many years and that she lived to enjoy her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Know of my thoughts and prayers.
Sister Mary Rose Noonan, CSJ
Chris and families,
So sorry to hear about your mother.
We are thinking about you.
Ann
Chris and Brigid and all the Allinger family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Connie
Please know that my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your families. Your mother was an amazing woman and you have so much to be proud of in her very full life. So many people love and respected both of your parents.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on the passing of Mrs. Allinger. Although I did not know her, she and her husband have left invaluable contributions to the radio station. I was honored to be a part of that tradition not once or twice, but three times during my 42 years in radio.
When I get the opportunity to sit and chat with Bill Heidrich, I am in awe at the history of WIBX and the people who played such a tremendous role in that history. The early days of radio are fascinating! But their memory is rapidly disappearing.
I feel pretty darn lucky that “Mom” was a part of my life, too. The obiturary was beautiful and showed the many ways that Betty opened the doors for women dreaming of breaking into the broadcast business. Her warm smile and quick wit are etched in my heart forever. I will miss you, but I will never forget you.
Chris and family,
I so enjoyed listening to your Mom when you’d have her play some of the games with your listeners. She was such a gem. After reading her obit, I realize what a generous, kind, amazing, talented soul she must have been. Don’t dwell on the sad, just think how lucky you all were to have had her for so long. My sincerest sympathies.
Ralph,Mike and Chris,
My sincerest sympathies
on the passing of your Mom…
I will never forget her kindness
welcoming me into your lives
so many years ago when I was just
17…
Though we have all gone our
own ways since,I always hold dear the fond
memories of all of you and the happy times
I had visiting your home in Utica…
I’m sure Dolly is happy now that Mom
is with her…
Mom was a lovely lady…
Sincerely
Carol (Mizzi) Monares