Obituary for Betty Arlene Hunter (Abrams)
Betty Arlene (Abrams) Hunter, 89, of 653 Park Ave., Tyrone, PA, passed away at her residence on November 12, 2020 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on February 4, 1931 in Tyrone, PA to Clinton Abrams of Tyrone and Arlene (Ripple) Abrams of Mt. Union who both preceded her in death along with a stepmother Margie Budd of Tyrone and an aunt, Lottie (Ripple) Kaiser of Mt. Union.
Betty attended Indiana University where she aspired to become a teacher. However, she got sidetracked by Richard T. Hunter (Ted) and married the army man on April 24, 1952 in Mt. Union, PA. Together they had three children; Hollie Hunter of Tyrone, Shelley (Sherman) Anders of Alexandria, PA, and Becky (Jeffrey) Foust of Dover, PA. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren: Chad Hunter, Sheree Anders Browne, Kristen Anders Hotmire, Jeremy Anders, and Kylie Foust, plus 4 great grandchildren.
Betty was employed for over 25 years as a head cashier at Ray’s Riverside where she was known for her flamboyant hairstyles, big jewelry, friendly smiles and funny sense of humor. She was so popular the local paper featured her in an article saying she was Dolly Parton before Dolly Parton. She also worked over 25 years for the Levy Book Company retiring at the ripe age of 80. Frequently she would con her children or husband (most of the time) into helping her for the mere wage of being taken out for dinner.
While she was working and raising three children, she still found time to be a Girl Scout leader and host many memorable camping weekends. One year she had a goal – take the troop to the World’s Fair in Montreal Canada to Expo 67. She had many fund-raising events that were just as fun as the trip. Many roller skating parties at the Juniata and Lakemont Skating rinks, a minstrel show at the Presbyterian Church and some bake sales. What a memory, no one will ever forget, just like our mother.
Betty was quite the social butterfly. She enjoyed playing in two ladies card clubs; pinochle and 500. She was a member of the local Red Hat Society and at a time served as the secretary. But her real loves were decorating her house to the nines inside and out and traveling. She was ready to go anywhere with anyone. She traveled to bowl games with the Nittany Lions to Arizona, California and Florida. She traveled to visit her daughter during her 14 years in the Navy to Hawaii, Nebraska, and Virginia. She also traveled to see family in Florida, Ohio, and South Carolina. Her bags were always packed and she’d be ready to go. Her all-time favorite past time was SHOPPING. For years there were weekend trips to the Pottery in Williamsburg Virginia where we tied our purchases to the roof and packed our luggage in garbage bags. Why just last month mother and daughters took an overnight shopping trip to Roanoke Virginia to her favorite store, Hamrick’s. Only mum would want to travel five hours for one store.
Anytime we meet people we ask them if they knew her, when they say they did, we would proudly say “That was our mother.” She always made people chuckle so we will say our farewell with one. She wanted a personal license plate when they came out and wanted suggestions. One daughter said how about “Wig Lady” or another “Wiggy”. She replied “No, I don’t want anyone to know!” A little late for that wouldn’t you say!
Farewell mum we loved you more than words can say. What will we do without you?
There will be a closed service for the immediate family at a time to be determined.
We want to thank UPMC Home Hospice for the wonderful care they provided these past few months and Richard H. Sears Funeral Home for services provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to Faith Bible Church; P.O. Box 341, Bellwood, PA 16617
Betty attended Indiana University where she aspired to become a teacher. However, she got sidetracked by Richard T. Hunter (Ted) and married the army man on April 24, 1952 in Mt. Union, PA. Together they had three children; Hollie Hunter of Tyrone, Shelley (Sherman) Anders of Alexandria, PA, and Becky (Jeffrey) Foust of Dover, PA. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren: Chad Hunter, Sheree Anders Browne, Kristen Anders Hotmire, Jeremy Anders, and Kylie Foust, plus 4 great grandchildren.
Betty was employed for over 25 years as a head cashier at Ray’s Riverside where she was known for her flamboyant hairstyles, big jewelry, friendly smiles and funny sense of humor. She was so popular the local paper featured her in an article saying she was Dolly Parton before Dolly Parton. She also worked over 25 years for the Levy Book Company retiring at the ripe age of 80. Frequently she would con her children or husband (most of the time) into helping her for the mere wage of being taken out for dinner.
While she was working and raising three children, she still found time to be a Girl Scout leader and host many memorable camping weekends. One year she had a goal – take the troop to the World’s Fair in Montreal Canada to Expo 67. She had many fund-raising events that were just as fun as the trip. Many roller skating parties at the Juniata and Lakemont Skating rinks, a minstrel show at the Presbyterian Church and some bake sales. What a memory, no one will ever forget, just like our mother.
Betty was quite the social butterfly. She enjoyed playing in two ladies card clubs; pinochle and 500. She was a member of the local Red Hat Society and at a time served as the secretary. But her real loves were decorating her house to the nines inside and out and traveling. She was ready to go anywhere with anyone. She traveled to bowl games with the Nittany Lions to Arizona, California and Florida. She traveled to visit her daughter during her 14 years in the Navy to Hawaii, Nebraska, and Virginia. She also traveled to see family in Florida, Ohio, and South Carolina. Her bags were always packed and she’d be ready to go. Her all-time favorite past time was SHOPPING. For years there were weekend trips to the Pottery in Williamsburg Virginia where we tied our purchases to the roof and packed our luggage in garbage bags. Why just last month mother and daughters took an overnight shopping trip to Roanoke Virginia to her favorite store, Hamrick’s. Only mum would want to travel five hours for one store.
Anytime we meet people we ask them if they knew her, when they say they did, we would proudly say “That was our mother.” She always made people chuckle so we will say our farewell with one. She wanted a personal license plate when they came out and wanted suggestions. One daughter said how about “Wig Lady” or another “Wiggy”. She replied “No, I don’t want anyone to know!” A little late for that wouldn’t you say!
Farewell mum we loved you more than words can say. What will we do without you?
There will be a closed service for the immediate family at a time to be determined.
We want to thank UPMC Home Hospice for the wonderful care they provided these past few months and Richard H. Sears Funeral Home for services provided.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betty’s memory may be made to Faith Bible Church; P.O. Box 341, Bellwood, PA 16617