AUBURN | Elizabeth Louise “Betty� Komarisky, 85, of Auburn, passed away on Jan. 28, 2013, at Auburn Community Hospital. She was the daughter of the late George and Erma Minturn Mekeel. Besides raising nine children here in Auburn, Betty's love of art led to a teaching career, both in Auburn and Vero Beach, Fla. She taught children's art and drawing at the Cayuga Museum and at Holy Family School. While in Vero Beach, she was a founding member of the Center for the Arts, taught private art lessons in her studio and at the Indian River Correctional Facility. Betty was a member of the art groups at the Boyle Center and was also active in their creative writing groups. Many people will remember Betty as their Girl Scout or Boy Scout leader, her involvement with the March of Dimes , United Way and Auburn Children's Theater. Recently, her artwork has won many ribbons at the New York State Fair Senior Division. She also often entered her works in “Both Ends of the Rainbow� at the Schweinfurth Museum. Surviving are sons, John E. Komarisky and his wife, Barb, Robert Komarisky and his wife, Shirley, David Komarisky and his wife, Cathy, Peter Komarisky and his wife, Lea, Steven Komarisky and his wife, Carm and Mark Komarisky and his wife, Anne; daughters, Anne Mosley and her husband, Ted, Judi Rice and her husband, David and Libette Komarisky and Ernie Myers; three sisters, Jeanne Heath and her husband, John, Carol Foster and Linda Foxbower and her husband, Charles and sister-in-law, Dorothy Mekeel. She leaves 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; several cousins, nieces and nephews; special friends, Betty Prentice, Marilyn Ramsden, Mary Raferty, Charles Hitchcock, and Robert Taylor. Betty was predeceased by her husband, John; her brother, Robert Mekeel; her niece, Deborah Brown and granddaughter, Jessica Onderdonk. There will be no visitation and private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Jessica L. Onderdonk Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Cayuga Community College, 197 Franklin St., Auburn, in memory of Elizabeth L. Komarisky. The Brew Funeral Home of Auburn is in charge of arrangements.
