Elizabeth "Betty" Penzone

Elizabeth "Betty" Penzone, passed away early Christmas morning in the Elan Nursing and Skilled Rehabilitation Center after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was the widow of Joseph P. Penzone who passed away in 2023. At the time of his departure, the couple had been married for 55 years.

Betty grew up in Simpson, Pennsylvania, as one of nine children. From an early age, she learned the value of family, creativity, resourcefulness, and hard work-qualities that shaped the woman she would become. Many may not know that she played basketball in high school and was voted Most Attractive, a reflection not only of her beauty, but of the confidence and grace she carried even then.

At a very young age, Betty discovered her love for sewing, learning to make her own clothes and developing skills that would stay with her throughout her life. That early passion grew into a remarkable gift. She went on to create the most beautiful and detailed costumes, gowns, drapes, and anything else she set her mind to. If you needed something made-or fixed-she could do it. She loved to shop and find good bargains, knowing she could transform anything with her own alterations, turning the simplest find into something special.

At just 19 years old, she married the love of her life, Joseph Penzone, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in devotion and family. Betty worked for many years as a seamstress, a role perfectly suited to her incredible talent and attention to detail.

In her later years, Betty continued to pour her heart into others as an Activities Director at Golden Living Center, where she brought joy, creativity, and warmth to so many lives-just as she always had for her family and friends.

She also cherished the simple joys of life. She loved spending time with her sisters, especially going blueberry picking together-laughing, sharing stories, and coming home with buckets full and hearts even fuller. She loved to fish and never minded getting her hands dirty, even digging up worms herself for bait. Betty loved to travel and was fortunate to see nearly every corner of the United States, with a special love for the beaches and the water, where she felt most at peace.

Christmas was her favorite holiday, and she celebrated it with her whole heart-decorating every inch of her home, filling it with lights, warmth, and joy, and making the season feel truly magical for everyone who walked through her door.

Though we grieve, we are deeply grateful for the life she lived, the lessons she taught us, and the love she gave so freely. Her legacy lives on in her family, her creativity, her faith, and the countless memories we will carry forever.

Surviving are children, Sandy Gaul and her husband, Tim; Joseph Penzone and his wife, Karen; and Lisa Bailey and her husband, Will; grandchildren, Casey, Matthew, Isabella, Vincent, Brianna, Alana, William and Joshua; great-grandchildren, Aria, Ryder and William; Sisters Marian and her husband Richard Dombroski, Margaret and her husband Richard Bonacci, Loretta and her husband Russ Cowher, Theresa Chubb, Patty and her husband Joseph Kandrot, Carol Histed and Debbie and her husband Rod Brown; sister in law, Mary Lou Richardson and husband, Chris; nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Marion Mark, her brother and sister in law, Joseph and Linda Mark and brother in law, Kevin Chubb.

All attending the funeral are asked to go directly to the church.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Saint Patrick's Church 1403 Jackson Street Scranton, PA 18504, by the Rev. Richard Fox.

Friends may call Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Vanston and James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton 18510 and Tuesday morning from 10am until the time of the Mass in the church.

Interment, Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.In lieu of flowers the family encourages memorial contributions may be made to the Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab Resident Activity Fund, 1101 Vine St., Scranton, PA 18510 and the Alzheimer's Association 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601 or by visiting https://www.alz.org/