Betty Massa

Betty Louise Massa, 79, of Mansfield, died Tuesday, October 03, 2006, at Conard House after a courageous fight against colon cancer. Mrs. Massa was born in 1926 to Donald and Inez Lamb of Canal Winchester and died just 9 days shy of her 80th birthday. She graduated from Canal Winchester High School and earned a degree from Ohio University in Home Economics. Upon graduation in 1948, she moved to Mansfield and was District Director of the Home Service Department of Ohio Fuel Gas Company, working as Betty Newton for three years. In 1951, she married Paul I. Berno, a Mansfield native and executive with the Tappan Company. Mr. Berno succumbed to a brain tumor in 1963. She spent the following years raising their four sons and participating in her many community activities. In 1967, she married Joseph E. Massa. They celebrated 39 years of marriage in September. A member of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Mrs. Massa was actively involved in volunteer work and fundraising for a number of local organizations over a span of five decades. At St. Peter's, she was a member of the Response Board, Catholic Newcomers Club and was a Stephen Minister. Her numerous local charitable activities included serving as a board member and president of Mansfield Memorial Homes for over 20 years, where she supervised a number of programs that greatly expanded the services and facilities of that institution. She was a member of the Helen Hayden Charity Club, served as a board member for 40 years and was secretary of Friendly House, was a volunteer fundraiser for the United Way, and twice led drives in support of school levy votes for the Mansfield Public schools. In 1980, she was selected as Richland County's Woman of the Year. Mrs. Massa was a long-time member of the Mansfield Garden Club, the Gilt Edge Investment Club, the Woodland Club, and Westbrook Country Club. The Mansfield Garden Club recently honored her by renaming their Best of Show award, the Betty L. Massa Award.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph E. Massa; four sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Kimberly Berno of Westerville, William and Virginia Berno of Oak Hill, VA, Mark and Bobette Berno of Plymouth, MN, and Bruce and Karen Berno of Cincinnati; twelve grandchildren, Christopher, Bradley, Chelsea, Erika, Paul, Andrew, Scott, Charley, Peter, Katherine, David and Joseph; two stepchildren, Joseph H. Massa and his wife, Susan, of Mansfield, and Claudia Gallagher of Cleveland; and nine step-grandchildren, Scott Massa, Stephanie Lemaster, Sarah Liscano, Patrick, Kevin and John Gallagher, Kimberly Dunne and Phoebe and Jane Kilgour. In her lifetime, she found true love twice, raised four good citizens, traveled the world and made Mansfield a better place. Mrs. Massa could hit a golf ball straight and grow a beautiful dahlia. Her grandchildren will tell you she baked the best coffee cake, ever. A woman of great faith, she can rest in peace.

Friends may call Thursday, October 5 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Mansfield Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter's Catholic Church, Mansfield Memorial Homes, Friendly House or the Richland County Foundation.