Elizabeth A. Carey passed away in Lower Gwynedd, PA on Saturday, December 4, 2021. She was 96 years of age. Born on May 20, 1925 in Philadelphia, she was a child of John W. Anderson, Jr. and Florence (nee Grigg) Anderson.

Betty, as she preferred to be called, attended Philadelphia schools and graduated from Germantown High School in January, 1943. Betty worked part-time at Lit Brothers in her Junior and Senior years.

Betty started her career at Corn Exchange Bank in Philadelphia and then as a switchboard operator for the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company. While there, she took secretarial studies at Pierce Business School. After marriage and while raising a family, she worked various part-time jobs at Strawbridge & Clothier in Plymouth Meeting, the Dress Shop in Chestnut Hill and at IMS Health in Ambler. Betty continued with IMS Health when IMS Health moved to Plymouth Meeting. Betty left the workforce permanently in 1999.

Betty met her husband, Alfred (Al) Carey, while a youngster and eventually married Al in a November 1952 wedding. Her son, David, was born in 1955 followed five years later by a daughter, Nancy Jean.

Starting their life together in Drexel Hill, they moved to Mt. Airy in 1953, finally settling in Whitemarsh Township in 1962.

This finally gave Betty the opportunity to indulge in one of her passions – gardening. Together with a neighbor, Rita Precopio, they spent countless hours horning their skills in dry flower arranging, presentation and growing of various flowers.

Betty's love of gardening led her to The Outdoor Gardeners, an organization for people like Betty. She was a very active member of the Club and for many years was the editor of their newsletter – The Dirt.  Betty also was the treasurer and served on several committees during her years there. Betty displayed arrangements in local flower shows and helped the Club with displays at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

Betty was also very active in The Second Baptist Church of Germantown starting as a youngster. Being baptized in 1935. Betty sang in the Children's and Adult Choirs, served on both the Trustee and Deacon Boards and other various committees, taught Sunday School and was involved in many other normal and special events for the Church. For many years, Betty and her family ran the food/snack bar at the annual Christmas Bazaar. Betty was on the Decorating Committee for many years, being Chairwomen for many of those years.

Betty's love of music led her to The Mastersingers. The Mastersingers was a group that put on twice yearly concerts, mostly with classical repertoire.

After her children left on their own journeys, Betty became interested in quilting. Betty often sewed new clothes or repaired torn clothes for her children but quilting gave Betty a new hobby. She made a number of quilts for her family and to sell to raise money for the County Quilters, a club she joined to further her interest.

In addition to Betty's charitable work with The Garden Club, Second Baptist Church and The Dress Shop, Betty was a long-time helper with Meals-on-Wheels.

After Al's death in 2005, Betty moved to the ACTS Life-Care Community at Gwynedd. Betty enjoyed her time there very much, meeting many new people and forming lasting friendships.

Betty is survived by her son, David A. Carey, daughter Nancy C. Goens and son-in-law Burton K. Goens, II; grandchildren Justin (spouse Tracey nee Spaugy), Alicia Miller (spouse Brandon), Ty and Jessica and 13 great-grandchildren. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Alfred C. Carey, Jr.

Services and interment are private at the request of Betty.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either of the following organizations:

Second Baptist Church of Germantown
Memorial Fund ( click here for the link )
6459 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19119-2345

ACTS Retirement-Life Communities
Good Samaritan Fund ( click here for the link )
Gwynedd Estates
301 Norristown Road
Ambler, PA 19002-2760