Mary Betz

MEADVILLE – Mary Betz passed away peacefully, with family by her side, at Wesbury Grace Health Center, Meadville, on Tuesday, August 19, 2014, where she resided for the past year. She lived at Cribbs Residential Center for the previous three years. A lifelong resident, Mary was born in Meadville on August 12, 1929, a daughter of Dominic and Agatha (nee Lamberti) Petruso, who emigrated from Palermo, Sicily. She is survived by her loving daughter, Deborah Ann Basil, and dear son-in-law, David Alan, of Hudson, OH; cherished son, David Dale Betz and his wife, Stella of Sherman, N.Y.; three sisters, Anne Diemer of Bowie, MD; Madeline (Lee) Trotter and her husband, Richard, of Pacific Grove, CA and Agnes Ritchey and her husband, Thomas, of Meadville; grandsons, Christopher Aaron Basil of Hudson, OH and Jonathan Bradley Basil of Marion, IL, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 59 years, Dale M. Betz, in 2007; brother, Joseph Petruso and sisters, Fanny Hernandez, Geraldine (Mae) Bradish and Mamie Petruso, who did not live to adulthood. She was deeply devoted to her family, friends and church and spent hours feeding and keeping her sisters company, while they resided at Grace Health Center, and driving friends to medical appointments. For many years, she fulfilled the role of homemaker, wife and mother as well as working at numerous banks and Kerr’s Jewelry Store in Meadville. She was a member of the Jaycee-ette’s, the Altar Rosary Society, Spencer Hospital Auxiliary and the Red Hatters; was an accomplished amateur artist; loved to bake and was famous for her chocolate chip cookies. She was a lifelong member of St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church in Meadville. She will be missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to Seton Catholic School, 385 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335; or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 327 Eighth Ave., Seventh Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001. Calling hours for family and friends will be on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Roofner-Collins-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 544 Chestnut St., Meadville. Following a brief memorial service at the funeral home on Wednesday, a Mass of Christian Burial will be take place at 10 a.m. at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville with Father Johnathan Schmolt as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Brigid Cemetery, Meadville. A luncheon reception will be held at the activity center of St. Brigid Church following interment. Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Mary’s Book of Memories online at roofnercollinswarrenfh.com.