Nyhla Beth Strong

She was born August 8, 1924 in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of William Kenneth and Ella (McMullen) Yates. She married Jerome C. Strong on December 27, 1947 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He predeceased her on September 3, 1994.

Beth graduated from Grinnell College (Grinnell, Iowa) in 1946 and Columbia University Library School (New York City) in 1951. She worked as a librarian at the University of Wisconsin, Columbia University, Princeton University, SUCO in Oneonta and was a librarian at The Daily Star from 1977 to 1991 when she retired.

Beth was a long-time member of the League of Women Voters of the Oneonta Area, serving on the board for many years. She was also a founding member and President of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Otsego County, an advocacy and support group for families and friends of those with a mental illness.

In 2004 she was honored to be named a Woman of Distinction by Senator James Seward in the New York State Senate “Women of Distinction” Program, who had these words to share, “Since 1989, Beth Strong has worked ardently for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, a grassroots, self-help, advocacy group dedicated to improving the lives of all people who are affected by mental illness. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill strives to ensure effective care, and to enable all individuals with mental illness and their loved ones to live the best life possible. Ms. Strong began working for the organization before it received its national affiliation and has served as President of the local alliance in Oneonta since 1990.

A crusader in educating the community on psychiatric disorders and the stigma of mental illness, Ms. Strong coordinates and directs conferences, projects, workshops, meetings and material development from her home. The materials are disseminated to schools, hospitals, colleges, libraries, and conferences. Her efforts are an inspiration and clearly speak to her unwavering dedication to educating the public about mental illness and helping the public understand that mental illness is, in fact, treatable.

Despite the time and energy that Ms. Strong puts into her commendable work for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, she still finds time to serve as the Vice President of Country Horizons Otsego, Inc., an organization providing residential and vocational programs for adults suffering from mental illness.”

A dedicated mother to her children, they fondly remember her as a kind, compassionate person who always smiled, laughed, and had a wonderful sense of humor.

Beth is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Strong Blasetti, of Otego; her son, Douglas William Strong, of Binghamton; granddaughter, Alysa Blasetti & partner William Sprague III of Oneonta; great grandchildren, Isaak & David Morse, and Scarlett Sprague of Oneonta; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Strong of Olympia, Washington; and a nephew, Phillip Strong of Holyoke, Mass. She is also survived by Andrew & Anya Littauer and their sons, Alexander & Christopher of Princeton, New Jersey; and several nieces and nephews as well as several close friends and colleagues.

She was also predeceased by her parents; a sister & brother-in-law, Natalie & Douglas Strong; brother & sister-in law, William & Peggy Yates; and a brother-in-law, James Strong.

A memorial service for Nyhla Beth Strong, 90, of Oneonta, who passed away Monday, March 2, 2015, will take place on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta with Rev. Judith Thistle officiating.

Private interment will take place at a later date in Glenwood Cemetery, Oneonta.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Otsego County, PO Box 804, Oneonta, NY 13820 & The Huntington Memorial Library Book Giving Program, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.