Elizabeth Mary Lafferty

Elizabeth “Betty“ Lafferty, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on July 6, 2024, at the ripe old age of 98. Born in 1926 to the late Francis and Mildred McClernan, she grew up in the Olney section of Philadelphia. She graduated from Olney High School in 1944. After a brief career, she married the love of her life, Jack Lafferty, in 1948. They moved out of Philadelphia and settled into the newly built Junewood section of Levittown in 1956, where they raised their six children.

Betty loved spending summers at Penn Warner Lake, where she and Jack built a family legacy that continues to this day. Known by her family as “Queen of the Lake,” she loved taking boat rides and watching fireworks on July 4th—when she would exclaim “summer’s over!”

After the 4th of July, she would turn her attention to Christmas in July shopping on QVC. She absolutely loved Christmas and adding to her extensive collection of Christmas decorations. Every year, she would transform her house into a Christmas wonderland!

Although Betty never learned to drive a car, she was fiercely independent. She frequently rode the bus or taxi to the mall, the casino, and even to the hospital (so as “not to be a bother”). It was at the mall where she created a close-knit group of "Golden Girls” who enjoyed laughing with each other in the food court. She truly cherished those friendships.

Above everything, Betty loved her family, who she affectionately referred to as, “you people”.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Jack, daughter Pat (Don), sons Pete and Mike (Kathy), father Frank, mother Mildred, brother Bob (Ruth), and sister Phyllis (Bob).

Betty is survived by her sons Bob (Lisa), Bill (Mary), and daughter Kathy (Joe); grandchildren Kelly (Mike), Renee, Kristy (Steve), Michael (Briana), Shannon, Paul (Christina), Brian, Kaitlin, Brittany, Hayley (Jim), Briana (Kevin), Erin (Jake), and Joseph (Tyler); 15 great-grandchildren; her brother Jim (Jean); and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Betty, the life of the party, on Friday, July 12, 2024, at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Levittown. A viewing will be held at 9:00 a.m., followed by a family eulogy at 9:50, and funeral mass at 10:00 AM. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery on Hulmeville Road.

In lieu of flowers, as Betty would say, “Get out of here and go do something fun!”