Date of Birth March 12, 1947
Date Deceased July 11, 2024
Hometown North Hornell
Home State N.Y.
Service Date July 16, 2024
Service Time 10 a.m.
Service Location Christ Episcopal Church, Hornell
Interment Location Lakeside Cemetery at Loon Lake

Elizabeth “Beth” (McCabe) Shults

NORTH HORNELL – Elizabeth “Beth” (McCabe) Shults, 77, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, Thursday afternoon (July 11, 2024) at her home on Seneca Road.

Born in Hornell on March 12, 1947, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Elizabeth “Betty” (Palmer) McCabe. Besides her parents, she was also predeceased by her son, Christopher Shults and her sister, Mary Margaret Wyant.

A lifelong resident of Hornell and North Hornell, Beth was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1965 and attended a cosmetology school in 1966.

She was employed as a secretary at the U of R Admission Department, also at St. James Mercy Hospital School of Radiology, the Xerox Sales Department and for various doctors including, Dr. Andy Call, Dr. Tejinder Virdee and Dr. Andy Rupert.

Beth operated Gifts By Design from her home and co-owned and operated the franchise Curves for Women for many years with her sister, Karen Myers.  She was employed as a teacher’s aide at BOCES and as a realtor for the former Lang Agency in Hornell.

An avid reader, she belonged to a local book club and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Hornell where she served on the vestry. Beth was a trustee and a member of the Hornell YMCA Board of Directors and was named Woman of the Year by the YMCA. She was also active in the United Way campaign.

She is lovingly survived by her husband of 50 years, Eric Shults, who she married on March 2, 1974; two daughters, Katherine M. Shults and Anna E. Shults; granddaughter, Olivia Giglio; two grandsons, Everett Turner and Jack Turner; her sister, Karen Myers; brother-in-law,  Ronald Wyant; nieces, Laura Neumann, Barbara McCarthy and Linda Albrecht; nephews, Peter Wyant, Mark Davidson, Mike Davidson and Scott Day; her cousin, Michael McCabe; her adopted Brazilian son, Venilton Carlos Mariano; and her faithful dog, Dudley.

Calling hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday (July 15, 2024) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join her family at Christ Episcopal Church, Center St., Hornell where a Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday (July 16, 2024). Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery at Loon Lake.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to either Christ Episcopal Church, 6 Center St., Hornell or the Hornell YMCA, 18 Center St., Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home and church.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Beth’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences or remembrances of Beth are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.

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23 Responses

  1. My deepest sympathy to family and friends of Beth. What a wonderful woman who will be missed for her warmth, personality, and humor. I will certainly miss her joining the ladies on the 19th hole at Hornell Golf Club. May her memories be of some comfort to those mourning her loss.

  2. I had the pleasure of knowing Beth McCabe Shults for all of my adult life. Beth always kind, caring and always had a comforting word of encouragement. Community minded with a positive attitude and view of our world. May she rest in peace. My most sincere condolences to Eric and family

  3. I have fond memories of Beth as my Mom was her housekeeper & friend. She used to take us to the lake, mom worked & we swam. Then her visits with my mom & us believing we could be whatever we wanted to be with integrity and education, we could make it. She will be missed. My prayers & thoughts are with you all at this time of bereavement.

  4. So sad to hear this news! Beth was a bright shining star in my life! We grew up together and she will be missed! Whenever I would come to town we would always get together! I will cherish many wonderful memories and pray that Eric and family will be sustained by their wonderful memories! May Beth be at Peace with the Lord!
    💔🙏🙏🙏
    Yvonne Fisher

  5. So sorry to hear of Beth’s passing. Have known her all my life.She was a great playground teacher at Maple City Park when I was small. I also was friends with her family members. My condolences to Eric and family.

  6. Eric and family, Nelson and I were so sad to hear about Beth’s passing. I knew Beth all my life growing up in Hornell. We often shared those memories when we would see each other at Loon Lake during the summer months. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

  7. Eric and Karen and family.There are no words that can express the loss everyone who knew and Beth are feeling.
    We grew up with the MaCabes around the corner and our families were always together.I loved Beth like a sister.I am still try to process all that has happened.
    Sending love and prayers for each one of you

  8. Beth always made me feel seen and appreciated. She had a great laugh and voice, which I can hear still and always will. I love the devilish look she had in her eye and the warmth with which she welcomed all. She was a keystone of my upbringing in Hornell, a mother figure and kind supporter. She loved that I always ate so much at her house, and how much I loved her holiday decorations. When I think of Beth, I see her smiling. I’m so sad to hear of her passing and send love to her family and friends.

  9. Beth was unique, fun, very caring and a remarkable hostess. I knew her as my sister Linda’ s best friend and watched the two of them pass through, as we all their teen age years. Later on as we all matured Beth and I held memories of wild “do you dare escapades. One in the Main street ( can’t remember the old name) and once in downtown Old town Alexandria , Virginia. My trips to cook outs at Loon Lake are some of my very best memories. I feel for the pain for Eric and Karen Anna, and Catherine and all of you who have lost a shining light in your lives. May memories of her remain forever in your hearts.
    Requiescas in pace in infinitum mirabile femina.

  10. My beautiful , wonderful cousin Beth will be missed so dearly. I have too many memories to narrow my thoughts of her to any one of them. I do know that if Beth was near I always felt loved and cared for like I was home. I will miss you for the wonderful , fun, caring woman you always were to us all. To her family , I will be praying for you all . We lost a great lady.

  11. Dear Eric and family,
    Sal and I were so sad to hear of Beth’s passing. The two of you have always been so welcoming on our visits to Hornell, watched over family members in our long absences, and kept us up on local news. Sal never fails to speak of Beth as the delightful little girl who, 6 years his junior, took part in the summer rec program in the park where he worked when he was in high school and then married his dear friend. We send our love and condolences. RIP Beth.
    Sal and Jo-Ann Fiscina

  12. So sorry to hear. A penultimately nice lady and 4th of July hostess. Her smile and good humor will be missed by all that knew her. Just a great, sweet lady. Im Pace Requiescat.

  13. I am so saddened to read of Beth’s death. To this day, I remember first seeing her 1000 watt smile from across our fourth grade classroom in St. Ann’s school. Beth’s effervescent personality touched so many through the years. Her passing is indeed a sad day for Hornell. My thoughts and prayers are with Eric and their family.

  14. Eric, Katherine and Anna, I’m so sorry to hear about Beth’s passing. She was a very beautiful person who will be sadly missed. May the many special memories you had together help you through this difficult time.

  15. Eric: Barbara and I were overwhelmed by the news of Beth’s passing. You two were so welcoming and hospitable to us in our visits at Loon Lake and in opening your house to us at our 60th reunion. Her talents were clear as her business success was obvious. We send much prayer and love to you at this time.

  16. So sorry to hear of Beth’s passing. She was such a kind soul. Fond memories of younger years babysitting with Diane for Katherine and days at loon lake. She always went out of her way to greet me when we would see each other. A wonderful woman! My prayers and thoughts with Eric, Katherine and Anna.

  17. Eric and family,
    So very sorry to read of Beth’s passing. More than a classmate, Beth Ann was a dear friend. For many years we shared “Happy Birthday” phone calls, being born only 10 days apart. She will be missed by many. RIP Beth

  18. Thoughts and prayers for the family. I moved to Hornell in 1996 and Beth was one of those that greeted me. Her smile, her enthusiasm, her comfort blessed me. Crossing paths with Beth on my journey was definitely a pleasure and gratefulness i will forever treasure. She is and always be a beautiful soul whose life will go on! Thank you Beth for sharing with me! ❤️

  19. Bob and I are very sorry to hear of Beth’s passing, our condolences to Eric and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you,

  20. I was totally surprised to here from Eric that my cousin Beth Ann was in intensive care with a series of internal problems back a while ago. Then to hear she was going home to be have Hospice care was beyond the surprise point. A little while later to read she has left us with only our memories of her as we go forward set me down in my chair for a quiet spell. Like others, I have known her since childhood 70 plus years ago when my father Robert McCabe took me down to meet his family in Hornell, and Beth Ann and I took a liking to each other that has lasted to July 11th for Beth Ann, and tomorrow’s for me. My father is her father Peter’s brother. When ever the families got together, Beth Ann and I would just hang around together doing this-and-that so much the parents kept an eye on us. It was giggles and laughter whenever we got together, even as we became older and had our own families. There was just something between Beth Ann and I that was very strong, and totally ‘above board’. I shall always get a smile on when my memories of her come to fore. Even now has the goose bumps pop up on my face/arms.

  21. Beth was one of the most loving, caring individuals I’ve ever met. She lived behind my Grandmother & Aunt on ArmoryPlace . Over the years, I was able to serve her, and the entire Shults, & Davidson families which was an absolute joy to me.
    She is now flying high with the Angels. Until we meet again, My heart is broken, but I’ve had the absolute pleasure of knowing you and your family, which will sustain me. My heart is with her family at this difficult time.

  22. Our condolences go out to her entire family. Beth was a neighborhood friend growing up and always kind. I’m sure she will be missed by the entire community.

  23. Like a poster before, I too knew Beth for too many years. I had seen her only a couple of times in the intervening years since high school but those people with whom we spent those formative years are never forgotten, especially someone like Beth Ann. When my father died, we had his wake in Hornell. Though I hadn’t been back for any length of time in decades, one of the first faces I saw of those attending was Beth Ann. Her kindness and graciousness were endless. She is missed

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