Betty Jane Lavelle

Betty Jane Lavelle, 92, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2020. According to her wishes, she left this world from her home, where her nieces and friends made her last days comfortable and filled with love. In Steubenville, Ohio, on June 20, 1927, Betty Jane was the fifth of seven children born to the late Stephen and Kathryn (Loftus) Lavelle.  A few years later the family settled permanently in Struthers, Ohio, where they joined the St. Nicholas Catholic Church, and the children attended St. Nicholas School. Betty Jane graduated from Ursuline High School. She lived in the area all her life. 

Betty Jane joined Western Union as an operator, taking customers’ orders, preparing text for telegrams, and sending the messages. In addition to the day-to-day business of telegrams, Betts was known to send Santagrams, Candygrams, and Dollygrams to her nieces and nephews. Many of those boys and girls held onto the belief that Santa really sent that telegram, even though it was common knowledge that Betts worked at Western Union on the square in Youngstown. 

Commercial Shearing is where Betty Jane worked as an administrative assistant. After many years on the job, she retired in 1989. Her retirement translated into caring for grand nieces and nephews, tending to her beloved dog and cats, and taking exercise walks daily. She got to meet her neighbors on her walks, making friends who became like family. When she wasn’t walking, Betts could be found watching Pittsburgh’s team of the season-Steelers, Penguins, or Pirates. She was a huge fan. In her younger years, Betts was an avid bowler, as a member of many teams and a player in tournaments. Outings to the racetrack with her mother Kathryn were the stuff of fond memories. 

She leaves to treasure her memory nieces Kathleen Cahill, Colleen Cahill, Maureen Cahill, Darlene Lavelle, Mary Beth Gresko, Katy Stevens, Patricia Gordon Tamburro, Susan Gordon, and nephews James Lavelle, Mark Lavelle, William Gordon, and Matthew Gordon. We will always remember her love of Irish music and will raise a glass in her honor. Slainte! Betty Jane was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and their spouses: James and Loretta Lavelle, Stephen and Irma Lavelle, Kathleen and Charles Hodges, Mary Lou and Charles Cahill, Naomi and Clyde Gordon, Rita Norene Lavelle. Her nephews Michael Cahill, Daniel, Christopher, and Gregory Lavelle will be amongst the family members welcoming her to the afterlife. 

According to Betty Jane’s wishes, no services will be held. Private interment will be held at St. John’s Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of the Valley for the attention to detail and the loving and sensitive manner used to guide us through the care of our aunt in her final days. You were truly a blessing. Memorial donations may be made to Angels for Animals, 4750 S. Range Rd., Canfield, OH 44406. 

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