ELIZABETH “BETSY” JEAN LITZINGER (née Hughey), age 76, passed away peacefully at her home on January 14, 2023, surrounded by great love and care from her family, following a valiant stand against cancer. Devoted wife to her husband of 46 years, Joseph “Joe” Litzinger. Loving mother to Elizabeth Allen (David) and Barbara Westerhaus (Andrew). Beloved grandmother to David, Claire, Charlie, Louie, and August. Dear sister to Mary Ann Bach (the late Lawrence), Francis William Hughey, Jr. (Martha), John Hughey (Geraldine), and the late Thomas Hughey (Linda). Proud sister-in-law and aunt of both the Hughey and Litzinger families. Friend of many she made throughout her life’s journey.
Betsy was born the youngest of five children on April 1, 1946, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, to Francis William, Sr., and Marian Elizabeth (Pfeiffer) Hughey. Betsy attended the Saint Joseph Parish School in Oil City and graduated from Venango Christian High School in 1963. She graduated from Duquesne University in 1967 with a degree in nursing, embarking on a lifelong vocation that matched her warm, empathetic personality to her desire to care for others. Betsy began her nursing career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at West Penn Hospital, followed by a position with the city Department of Public Health; she also became an educator for nursing students. During her time in Pittsburgh, she met Joe Litzinger of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh, whom she married in 1976. Daughter Elizabeth joined the family two years later, and daughter Barbara five and a half years after.
In 1983, the family moved to northern New Jersey, and Betsy continued in her chosen vocation, at this time as an in-home nurse, developing strong bonds with the patients and families for whom she cared. She then earned additional credentials and became a school nurse, first at the Dennis B. O’Brien Elementary School in Rockaway, New Jersey, and later at Nixon Elementary School in Landing, New Jersey. Upon retirement, she and Joe returned to Pennsylvania to be close to family.
Betsy enjoyed pursuing other interests, particularly arts and cooking. As a young adult she was an accomplished painter. As her family grew, painting gave way to sewing clothing and halloween costumes for her children. She enjoyed preparing meals for her family and guests and was beloved for her wide repertoire of baked goods, particularly at Christmastime. She loved animals and cared for many pets throughout her life, including a number of strays she hid in the basement when she was a child. She will be greatly missed by her most recent canine companion, Copper.
Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation Tuesday, January 24, 2023, from 10:30am until 11:30am, and to her funeral mass 11:30am at St. Christopher Church, 13301 Proctor Road, Philadelphia, PA 19116. Internment private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to
Best Friends Animal Society or
Penn Medicine
Share memories at DiGiacomo Funeral Home.