BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — Amy Betros, a co-founder of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy and a pillar on Buffalo's East Side, has died at the age of 71. Betros passed away early Wednesday morning.
Betros' unexpected death has shocked the community she served and beyond.
"I don’t call her Amy – she’s grandma, we all call her grandma,” said Charlene Mallory, missionary, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy.
Just like a grandma, Betros spread her love and faith to help those in need at St. Luke’s.
"She taught me a lot," Mallory added. "I learned a lot from her and grew a lot from her, and watched her personality. She was just full of joy.”
"As you can see around here, there's so much of her work that must continue, not only her work, but the work of the co-founder, with her Norm Paolini, who died seven years ago this very day, also at the age of 71,” said Father Paul Seil. “She owned a restaurant before she went into this. She sold the restaurant, had a conversion, sold the restaurant, and bought this place, and just started feeding people.”
Seil moved into St. Luke's earlier this year when he retired and is saddened by her death.
"It hasn't set in, I think for most of us, that she's really gone because she was around this past week, and she was very vibrant," Seil said. "Went to a party for Father Bill Quinlivan’s 30th anniversary just last night. And then today, she's gone. I remember when I first came here, one of the Stations of the Cross was not there. It wasn't up on the wall, and it was the one where Jesus is condemned, and she said, 'We don't have that one here, because no one is condemned at St. Luke's Mission of Mercy.' It was just something.”
"Sometimes we don't see any results for our kindness, our mercy, but know that God takes it and uses it all,” Betros stated in a video posted on St. Luke’s webpage.
Last year, Betros celebrated the 30th anniversary of St. Luke’s, and across from the main building, her legacy will live on with a brand-new housing.
“There's a house for men being built across the street that's going to house about 80 guys when it's finished,” Father Paul said.
“It just really leaves a hole in your heart,” said Dan Lukasik.
Lukasik, a lawyer in Buffalo, is also a volunteer at St. Luke's and formed a friendship with Betros.
“Just such a loving, warm presence, she really anchored that community,” Lukasik said.
I’ve been told that Betros has operated St. Luke’s solely on donations and her very deep faith in God.
"She was always praying, always and depending upon people’s generosity,” Lukasik said.
The Diocese of Buffalo released the following statement from Bishop Michael Fisher on Wednesday:
"I share in the sadness at the sudden death of Amy Betros of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. Amy and the late Norm Paolini, co-founders of St. Luke’s, were the living embodiment of the image of Jesus’ parable in St. Matthew’s Gospel: “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in, naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.”
Amy’s care and concern for all along with her ministry and presence on the East Side of Buffalo is a great loss. She never wavered from her trust in the Lord and I join the St. Luke’s Mission Community, Catholics and non-Catholics throughout Western New York who experienced Amy’s love and compassion in praying for her and asking the Lord to comfort all who will miss her. May she rest in the Lord’s peace."
“She was a wonderful woman," Mallor said. "She gave up everything to come and run this place to take care of all of the homeless people and take care make sure they got clothes and food."
"How will you remember Amy?” I asked.
“I remember Amy with a smile on her face – a smile – a joyful woman,” responded Mallory. “She's gone with the lord, but she's here in spirit."
