Elizabeth M. “Betty” Chavey, age 97, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2020 at her home.
Born on July 25, 1923 in Osceola Mills, PA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Dora (Plummer) Desso.
She is survived by a daughter, JE Paisley, and by five sons, John, Donald, Kevin, Todd, and Jeffrey Chavey. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Peyton, Aaron, Michelle, Lauren, David, Elizabeth, Greta, Noelle, Zachary, Christian, Andrew, and Holland; and by five great-grandchildren, Audrey, Chloe, Bridget, Brooks, and Charlie.
In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Chavey; three sisters, Ann Baylin, Sue Culp, and Dorothy Decker; and three brothers, Joseph, John, and Donald Desso.
She graduated from The School of Nursing of the Phillipsburg State Hospital and served in the US Army during World War II as a 2nd Lieutenant and Nurse. That was where she met her husband, who served in the US Army Medical Corps.
After the war, Elizabeth served as a Registered Nurse in area hospitals including Geisinger, Harrisburg, Polyclinic, and Holy Spirit. She was also Tax Collector for Lower Swatara Township. In later years, she was a Tax Auditor for the PA Dept. of Revenue and a long-time elections poll worker.
At home, Elizabeth enjoyed feeding the many birds and squirrels that came to her back yard, and she sang in the church choir until her health no longer allowed her to continue.
She was a member of Seven Sorrows Catholic Church in Middletown, PA. Her faith and her family were the most important things in her life. She was devoted to helping others and living her Catholic faith.
Her family wishes to thank Melinda Perry and the other staff at Home to Stay for the wonderful care given to their mother.
With the current COVID concerns, services will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Elizabeth’s memory to Seven Sorrows Catholic Church, Middletown, PA.
