Bette Avis Merchant-Keil

Bette Merchant-Keil passed away peacefully on Tuesday after a brief illness. She was born in Rochester on May 29, 1932 to Kenneth and Eleanor Martin, and lived most of her life in the CNY area. After retiring from Syracuse China, Bette spent her final years designing and selling hand-crafted jewelry along with her husband, Bob Keil. Bette was admired for her sense of style, and always wore Bob's designs with panache.    Surviving are her husband of 29 years, Robert; siblings,  Merle Munn and Wayne (Terri) Martin; son, Tom E. Merchant; daughters, Victoria A.  Merchant (Sherman) Lewis and Suzanne Jo Merchant (Thomas) Anderson; stepchildren, Bill Merchant, Karyn Streeting, Carolyn Keil Cawley, Elizabeth Keil Richmond and Steven Keil; 11 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her first husband, Bill Merchant. Bette has donated her body to Upstate University for medical research. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date.