BettyLou Wessell, a cherished nurse and matriarch, passed away on November 25, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Bridport, Vermont, BettyLou dedicated her life to nursing and her family, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and strength.
After losing her mother, Blanche Harris, to breast cancer at the age of eight, BettyLou moved to Rotterdam Junction to live with her great aunt, Bertha Madison. This transition marked the beginning of her journey, which would lead her to meet her husband, Leonard Wessell Sr.. The couple married and settled in Charlton in 1956, where they built a family home that became a cornerstone of their lives.
BettyLou’s passion for nursing was deeply personal, stemming from her early experiences with loss. She graduated from Union University School of Nursing at Albany Medical College, a milestone that brought her immense pride. Her nursing career spanned over six decades, during which she touched the lives of countless patients and fellow nurses. She continued to practice until the age of 85, embodying a commitment to her calling.
Family was the heart of BettyLou’s life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her children, Wendy Lee Heintz (Arthur) and Leonard Wessell Jr. (Brenda), along with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were central to her world. BettyLou was known for making each family member feel cherished and appreciated, a testament to her nurturing spirit.
BettyLou was predeceased by her husband, Leonard Wessell Sr., and her daughter, Melissa Harris Wessell. She leaves behind a legacy of love and family ties that will continue to flourish through her surviving children and grandchildren: Sarah Melissa Wessell, Maxwell A. Heintz (Brittney), Benjamin C. Heintz (Yahayra), Samantha Lee Cuva (Joe), and Sydney Lynn Wessell (Deven), along with great-grandchildren Ddraig, Lily, Mason, and Kade. She also leaves behind nieces, nephews, and many cousins, all of whom she held dear.
In honor of her love for animals, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to local animal shelters. BettyLou had a deep affection for all animals throughout her life.
Friends and relatives are invited to pay their respects on December 13, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, located at 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, New York. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon at Charlton Freehold Presbyterian Church, situated at 768 Charlton Road, Ballston Lake. Interment will take place in Pine Grove Cemetery, Charlton, New York.
Arrangements are entrusted to Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, where the family encourages friends to leave messages on BettyLou’s Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com. BettyLou Wessell’s legacy of love, strength, and compassion will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
