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Betty White Zay

Betty White Zay

Betty White Zay

With heavy hearts, we mourn the peaceful passing of Betty White Zay, on Sept. 5, 2017, to be with the Lord. Through tears we celebrate the life of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Betty was born in Williamsport on July 28, 1924, to the late Mary and Leon Bialek (White).

Betty was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, John H. Zay; brothers, James, Carl, Vincent, and Thomas White; sister, Dorothy (White) Shipe; and her parents.

She is survived by her son, John K. (Kathy) Zay and daughter, Nancy Zay; grandchildren, John P. (Stevie) Zay, Amy (Josh) Bower, and Jeffrey (Kirstianna Hartzell) Zay. There are seven great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Leigha, Elsie, Ryan and Carter Zay; Allie Bower; and Dexter and Cooper Zay. She is survived by two sisters, Teresa Herendeen, Williamsport, and Helen Yasenchak, Jacksonville, Fla.; one brother, Paul (Lois) White, Endicott, N.Y.; and two sister-in-laws, Margaret (James) White and Mary (Thomas) White, both of Williamsport.

She was a life-long resident of Williamsport graduating from Williamsport Area High School in 1942. During World War II, Betty worked as a lathe operator at Avco until the troops returned home.

She and her husband John, married on June 7, 1947, worked closely together at the Herr’s Dairy Store in Montoursville for several years before opening their own grocery store in Newberry called Johnny’s Market. She later worked at the Court House until she became a full-time home-maker.

Betty made many friends in her lifetime and found her greatest joy in spending time with her family. She was a life-long parishioner at Holy Rosary Church (now St. Joseph the Worker Parish) and was the First Holy Communion Class Teacher for 30 years. She took great pride in making pierogies and potato pancakes at the Annual Polish Festival. She enjoyed bowling, golf and doing the polka with her husband.

Even in her later years, Betty always had a fun and joyful spirit — her quick wit often surprised many as she loved to make others laugh. She will be missed by everyone she touched in her lifetime.

Funeral will be held Saturday, September 9, at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 702 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. Friends and family may call at the church portico for visitation between 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in the church with Rev. Michael McCormick officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery. There will be a luncheon in the parish hall immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable donation to Saint Joseph the Worker Parish, 711 West Edwin St., Williamsport, PA 17701.

www.crousefuneralhome.com