One of a kind, Betty Turley was a dear woman to know and love. She lovingly looked after her family with her nurturing nature, and most importantly, unconditional love. In her family Betty found her greatest joy. She was a good hearted woman who looked for the best in everyone, and to those who knewContinue Reading
One of a kind, Betty Turley was a dear woman to know and love. She lovingly looked after her family with her nurturing nature, and most importantly, unconditional love. In her family Betty found her greatest joy. She was a good hearted woman who looked for the best in everyone, and to those who knew her best, she will be dearly missed.By 1931, the difficult days of the Great Depression created a jobless rate of nearly four million. It was a trying time in our nation’s history, yet hope was found as New York City opened the Empire State Building, and celebrated as the Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as the U.S. national anthem. Amidst these trying times in the state known as \”Appalachia\” where Walter and Thelma (Lantz) Jones made their home, the summer of 1931 was filled with much excitement when on June 23 they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Betty.Betty’s father worked hard to support their family, which also included Betty’s siblings, Sara Mae and Walter “Sonny”. As a child, Betty’s experiences were typical of her generation, and she enjoyed much adventure with her sister with whom she remained close. Betty’s family eventually moved to Aliquippa, Pennsylvania where she attended the local schools. Like all young women, Betty liked nice clothes. When she began working at one of the area bakeries she often used her earnings on clothes while her sister, Sara Mae would undoubtedly borrow them.As a young woman, Betty had hopes and dreams for the future, and they included a handsome young man named Marvin Turley. Quite smitten with Marvin, Betty always shared the story about the time she jumped into his car when he pulled up to a stop sign in town. However, Marvin was dating another girl at the time and was on his way to take her home when Betty made her bold move. Needless to say, it proved to be quite a situation as he, along with Betty, drove his date home! Before long Betty had won Marvin’s heart and they were soon married.Betty made a good home for Marvin and eventually, their six children, Sherry, Marvin, David, Shelly, Darin, and Sonya. She raised her family in faith, and she was fully devoted and dedicated in everything she did. Although a bustling household of activity, Betty was a protective mother who always looked out for the best interests of her children. She could prove to be a little feisty at times when she needed to be, like the time she broke the glass in the screen door twice in one week after throwing an orange and a shoe at her rambunctious son, David!A good cook, Betty made numerous family favorites over the years. Everyone always looked forward to her delicious Sunday spaghetti dinners, including garlic bread and her infamous dump cake. A point of contention, Marvin usually got upset with Betty whenever she made spaghetti because just as her mother had taught her, Betty always tested the noodles by throwing them on the wall. If they stuck, they were done, and after a while, Marvin had to paint the kitchen, again! Many sunny summer days were spent sitting on Betty’s front porch telling stories and sharing jokes. Often her neighbor inevitably walked across the street with a loud, \”howdy neighbors, and although Betty enjoyed these times talking and laughing, the day ended when she had enough of the mosquitoes. When it came to sports, Betty’s favorite teams were the Pittsburgh Steelers and particularly, the Pirates.In May of 1979, Betty’s beloved Marvin sadly died. Left to raise her six children, Betty soon began working as a cashier at the YMCA located at the Conway Railroad Yards, eventually retiring after 26 years of service there. She held fast to her faith as a longtime, past member of North Branch United Presbyterian Church in Center Township. More recently she was a member of Mt. Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Aliquippa. She lovingly placed all her efforts in her family, including the blessing of grandchildren.Despite having a large family to look after and working, Betty dressed to the nines. One of her granddaughters remembers how she loved watching her Grammy prepare for the next work day. After Betty chose an outfit, she’d then select her undergarments, which after she dyed them, even matched her clothes. If she was going to wear a lavender suit, it was a lavender bra and panty. She’d even select her jewelry, and after placing it in a baggy, she would hang it over the hanger with her clothes. Quite the fashionista, whenever Betty walked out the door, she was simply stunning from head to toe. In her younger years, Betty wore high heels, even when cleaning house, always maintaining that’s how she kept her legs so nice! Well into her later years, she continued to wear her “bling’ ever so proudly.Betty counted her children and grandchildren as the most important part of her life. She had been very close to her own mother, and they were the greatest of friends. Betty took loving care of her the way only a daughter could. Family meant everything to Betty. Her Sundays were often spent visiting her beloved sister, Sara Mae whom Betty dearly loved, and nothing could tear them apart. When they both grew on in years, Sara Mae would even walk over to see Betty at Friendship Ridge from her apartment in Francis Farmer, a senior housing community.In all ways, Betty was there for her family when it mattered most. Her grandson, Shane spent many afternoons after school at Betty’s place. When in middle school he’d stop at Arby’s, go home to Betty’s to eat and then nap until his mother, Shelly arrived to pick him up. There were many ways Betty conveyed her love. If she saw one of her loved ones napping, she’d gently place a blanket over them. Every Christmas she and her grandkids decorated the tree using snow Betty made from Dreft detergent. It made for great memories, and the wonderful smell against the pine was delightful. Candy treats for the kids from her work was always a given.Not only protective, but Betty was a very proper lady, too. She often worried about her granddaughter flying, even though she had flown hundreds of times, and warned her against talking to any men on her flights! Once when Betty’s daughter was serving as a bridesmaid in a wedding and her husband didn’t attend, Betty showed up and proceeded to instruct Shelly to accompany her home, because a “good girl” would not be out late alone. When her grandson, Michael came along, Betty was right there for her daughter, Sonya, the entire time. Blessed with the opportunity to cut his umbilical cord, Betty said that was the reason Michael was the wild one. She was also honored to be there for the birth of her great-grandson, Connor. Born on her 79th birthday, Betty said it was the best birthday gift ever!Betty possessed a great sense of humor. She easily brought smiles to the days of others, and she loved a good joke. One time Betty, her daughter, Sonya and ten month old grandson, Shawn traveled from Columbia City, Illinois to Kansas City, Missouri to see Betty’s granddaughter, Pam who was in town on business. To keep Shawn occupied, Betty and Sonya fixed up his thick black hair like a girl and Betty even put make-up on him! Betty loved life and lived it to the fullest at every opportunity.If those she loved were happy, then Betty was happy. She found the good in everyone and in all situations. When her son sadly passed away, it was indeed a difficult time for all, yet Betty was concerned for her dear daughter-in-law. Despite losing her son, Betty wanted Susie to find happiness again. Some time later when Susie brought her boyfriend, Richard to Friendship Ridge to meet her, Betty was thrilled, although she wouldn’t come out of the ladies room until Susie brought her wig to put on! She was so glad Susie meant a good man because she didn’t want her to be sad anymore. Music and dancing continued to be Betty’s passion. When Friendship Ridge held a dance on St. Patrick’s Day and they visited her once again, Betty was tickled to have had Richard dance her around the dance floor in her wheelchair.Everyone loved Betty. From her own family to her children, grandchildren and great-children, it was easy to love such a special woman. Even during the last day of her life at Good Samaritan Hospice, Betty remained ever so sweet and friendly, nearly giggling and joking until her final breath. So typical of Betty, she found the best in everyone. Her love for others was never ending, and her genuine heart shown bright in all she said and did. With fond remembrance, Betty’s love lives on the in the hearts of those she touched with ways all her own.Betty L. Turley, 84, of Center Township, was called home on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Her passing occurred at Good Samaritan Hospice at Heritage Valley Beaver. She will be sadly missed by her children, Sherry (Frank) Valle, the late Marvin J. (Susie) Turley, David (the late Penny) Turley, Shelly (John, Sr.) Gush, Darin (Cindy) Turley and Sonya (Chuck) Carder; grandchildren, Pam, Frankie and Darin; Marvin Jr.; Amber, David, Jr. and Sean; the late John, Jr. and Shane; Zachary, Lukas and Jakob, and Shawn, Michael and Savannah; 12 great-grandchildren, along with her beloved sister, Sara Mae Hurley and her late brother, Walter ‘Sonny’ Jones; numerous nieces and nephews and her longtime companion, Stanley Foderousky. Betty’s family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Good Samaritan Hospice for the compassionate care that was given to Betty.Friends will be received Wednesday from 1-8 p.m. at Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca, where funeral services will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. with Pastor Mike Anastas officiating. Private interment will follow in Sylvania Hills Memorial Park, Rochester. Memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to Beaver County Cancer and Heart Association, 3582 Brodhead Road # 201, Monaca, PA 15061, or Mt. Carmel Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2720 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa, PA 15001. To share online condolences, get directions and to share a favorite memory or photo of Betty, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.
An environmentally friendly option.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.