Elizabeth “Betty” Louise Pletl of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away on April 29, 2024 at the age of 84 years. She was born in Utica, New York to Warren and Marcella Petteys. There she grew up with four other siblings: Steven, Sally, Warren “Skip”, and Laurie. She met the love of her life, Francis “Butch” Clement Pletl, at a church dance. They married in Utica and started a family there. Elizabeth and Francis were married for over 57 years when Francis passed away. Their family includes five boys: James, Mark, Ronald, Brian and Michael; another son, Christopher, passed away soon after his birth.
Elizabeth devoted her first 25 years of marriage to being the greatest wife and mother her family could have ever hoped for in this life. She was actively involved in Catholic churches wherever she lived; she and Butch moved many times where better lives led them. Of particular note, they both led a massive effort to build a brick and mortar church in Manning, South Carolina where they lived for many years. Retirement brought some traveling, but above all, they focused on enjoying life together.
Betty’s love for “her boys” never waned. She and Butch brought them up in a house full of love and respect, teaching them that God and family were what mattered most, forever and always. As adults, her sons still referred to her as the perfect mom.
Betty found great joy in gardening, she was able to grow beautiful flowers and plants wherever she lived. She was artistically talented, making everything from stained glass, to crocheting blankets, to scrapbooking and so much more. She enjoyed arts and crafts, and was nearly always in the middle of a creative project.
She had a beautiful smile and twinkling eyes. She will be missed by many.
Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and sister Sally, her husband and their son, Christopher.
She is survived by her sons James (Van), Mark (Debbie), Ronald, Brian and Michael (Connie), 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, sister Laurie, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her beloved dog Sassy.
The family would like to thank Brian Pletl, Elizabeth’s son, for the care and compassion he showed our loved one the past few years and in her final days.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebratory Service for Elizabeth at the Smith and Williams Funeral home located at 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia at 2:00 pm, on May 18, 2024.
A graveside service will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Utica, NY, at a later date.
