BettyLee Garver

After a long, well lived life of 96 years, BettyLee Garver left this world on Thursday September 29, 2022.  

She was preceded in death by her much loved husband, Dr. Kenneth L Garver, her infant son John Charles, her eldest daughter MaryBeth Kusturiss (Dennis), grandsons Billy Garver and Gabriel Santorum, sister Joanne Foley and parents John and Frances Weisburg.  She is survived by her children Kenneth L. Jr. (Marsha), Dr. James (Dr. Anna Estop), Dr. Kathleen Lamb (Dr. Michael), Maureen Swartz (Michael), Robert (Pamela), Dr. William (Nancy), Susan Rickerl (Dick), Karen Santorum (Rick), Dr. Michael (Monica) and Paul (Carolyn).  She was a loving grandmother to 31 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

BettyLee was born November 19, 1925 in Pittsburgh and graduated from St. Rosalia High School in 1943.  During World War II she worked for Duquesne Light Chemical Laboratory and the Weather Bureau, where she was responsible for mapping weather patterns over Tokyo, Japan.  She was awarded two scholarships to Mt. Mercy (now Carlow) and Carnegie Tech (Carnegie Mellon).  She majored in Chemistry at Mt. Mercy, taking many credits at night, and graduated in June 1947.  While there she met the love of her life, Ken, at the Newman Center where she was secretary and he was treasurer.  They were married on October 12, 1946.  She and Ken had the opportunity to travel to many countries due to Ken’s involvement in the medical field.  They were loving parents, dedicated to family and church, giving their time to help in many capacities.  

BettyLee had a thirst for knowledge and read constantly.  She was a fervent Roman Catholic, attending Mass daily for much of her life.  She also volunteered at the Diocesan Building under Rev. Hugh Lang, the Christian Mothers at St Joseph’s in Verona under Msgr. Soxman and more recently at St Paul Cathedral under the Very Rev. Kris Stubna.  Friends will be received at John A Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com) 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street on Monday October 3, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8pm.  Funeral Tuesday, October 4, 2022, Mass of Christian Burial, St. Paul Cathedral 10:00am.  Interment at St. Joseph Cemetery will be private.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Cathedral or Central Catholic High School under the Scholarship Fund of Dr. Kenneth and Billy Garver.

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