Their love story began in June 1942 when 16 year old Betty started her first week as a waitress during summer break at a little roadside truck stop called "The Fork" in Limerick, Pennsylvania. Bud, a hungry coal-truck driver from Philadelphia happened to stop for a glass of milk on his way back home with a load of coal from the abandoned coal mines in Pottsville. He saw the stunning beauty with auburn hair flash her mesmerizing smile, and he knew she was his dream come true.
They married on July 10, 1943. Their dream lasted 72 years. Their love survived his service in the army during World War II. While he fought in Europe pushing his way forward to victory, Betty took care of their first child while helping the war effort by welding jeeps for the military.
After the war, they worked tirelessly together to raise a family. Betty adored her children, eight in all. While Bud worked his way up the corporate ladder, Betty cared for, tended to, and taught her children the love of Christ.
A Sunday School teacher in the nursery department at the Leverington Presbyterian Church, Betty shared her love of the Lord with infants through four year olds for forty two years. Her kind and gentle manner endeared her to all children and when she was finished raising her own children, she opened her arms to care for her grandchildren.
Betty''s love and beauty was reflected in her ability to grow her plants and flowers as she always loved to be surrounded by them. She also enjoyed time with her family at the shore, traveling the country, knitting and crocheting cherished gift for her family, volunteering in the community and serving her family hearty meals. Some of their favorites were her sho-fly pie, rice pudding, potato soup and creamed chipped beef on toast. Amazingly, she always had the beds made and the laundry running early each morning.
She allowed countless pets into her home. She nursed many a pet including an abandoned tabby cat who she hand fed every four hours for weeks. She taught a beloved parakeet to talk and loved his words and songs. She laughed each morning as he tossed the coins she placed for her children''s lunch onto the floor one by one all the while saying "Pretty Pretty Birdie" She loved to laugh and her laugh was infectious.
She was a woman of beauty and honor and her legacy will be long remembered. She was loved as much as humanly possible and will be sorely missed. We only rest knowing she is in the arms of the Lord and we shall see her again with no more pain or tears.