Betty M. Randolph
Posted By DeBord-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory On March 14, 2022 @ 9:13 am In Obituaries | 18 Comments
The hands which once knitted scores of children’s mittens for Christmas donation, and which sewed clothes on an old Singer machine in order to save money for a young family are now at rest. The eyes which once admired the pyramids of Egypt, the castles of Britannia, the Alps of Switzerland, the mosques of Morocco, and sights in all 50 states are now closed forever. The woman who faithfully watched Jeopardy every evening, who had a little crush on the character of Matthew Crawley of Downton Abbey, who stubbornly hung laundry on an outside clothesline in weather of all kinds, enjoyed many lunches with friends, daily walked the family dogs, and took care of pet and stray cats, now becomes only a memory to her family and friends.
Betty M. Randolph, 87, most recently a resident of Homestead Village in Lancaster, PA, died on March 10, 2022 of non-COVID related causes following a short hospital stay. Betty was born in Reading, PA and was the oldest of four sisters, two of whom preceded her in death. She and her husband, Clarence, a retired Millersville University political science professor and Lancaster Township supervisor, were married for almost 50 years before he passed away unexpectedly in December 2005.
Betty graduated from Reading Senior High School in 1952 and from Albright College in 1956, where she earned a degree in biology. She later trained as a medical technologist and worked in the laboratory at the former St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lancaster for many years.
In a personal journal found shortly before her death, those who knew Betty well would grin with familiarity at her frequent references to the annual arrival and departure of juncos, the changing sunrise and sunset times, and her never-ending disdain for hot, humid weather.
In the same journal, Betty also once lamented that she felt she’d led a boring life, because months would often go by between her entries. (An argument could be made that someone who also wrote of many trips within and outside of the U.S. in the same journal led just the opposite of a boring life.) But she also expressed quiet gratitude that she had a loving husband, good kids and health, and the companionship of family pets. Most of us should be so lucky to have that kind of a “boring” life.
In 2018, Betty was proud to have been inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame, for having voted consecutively in every November election for 50 years. She also volunteered for several years at the Lancaster Historical Society. Having said she would have liked to have become a veterinarian; she was a tireless supporter of numerous Lancaster County pet charities.
Betty occasionally did or said things the only way she knew how; unconscious vestiges assimilated, perhaps, of unknown influences throughout her life, but which remind us of the frailties of being human and the power of benevolent forgiveness.
She and dad can now join hands, once again to listen together to concertos, walk the warm sands of Hawaii adjacent to where some of dad’s ashes rest intermingled in the roots of a ti plant, and give all of their beloved dogs a scratch behind the ears.
Betty’s family wishes to express its gratefulness to all the staff at Homestead Village who treated her with compassion and kindness in the final year of her life.
She leaves behind a sister, Marcia, of Berks County; a son, Roger, of Lancaster County; and a daughter, Amy, of Dauphin County, in addition to several nieces and nephews.
Due to on-going COVID concerns, no public memorial is planned at this time. If desired, charitable contributions can be made in Betty’s name to one of her favorite local charities, including ORCA (Organization for the Responsible Care of Animals) of Lancaster, Pet Pantry of Lancaster, Furever Home cat shelter in East Petersburg, Coats for Kids, WITF, or the Lancaster Historical Society.
Rest in peace Mom. We will miss you.
Condolences for the family of “Betty M. Randolph”
Amy, my condolences to you and your family on the passing of your Mom. What a nice reflection of her many years. Cherish your fond memories.
Amy:
I’m am so sorry for the loss of your mom and want to extend my deepest sympathies to you, your family and friends who loved her so much. She definitely led a full productove life and touched the lives of many others from what I just read in the obit! I hope you find comfort in your memories of her and in knowing that so many people are reaching out to show they care. Take care and stay in touch. ❤
Tom T.
Dear Amy, my sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of Mom! She sounded like a very humble but amazing person. Her compassion is duly noted for people and animals. Seems every life she touched will miss her dearly! Let your memories make you smile when your sad and your sorrow make you proud you were her daughter!
Tonee Suda
Amy and Roger. The loss of a loved one is never easy to accept, especially when it is a beloved parent. The tribute to your mother is exactly right, and she will be missed by all that knew her. Both your mother and father meant a lot to me and my family1 Just know that Betty is once again with Clarence and both are now in peace. Our sincere condolences. Elam
Thank you for sharing this lovely tribute to your mom. I wish we’d gotten to know her! But, in a way, we did, through her great kids! Hugs to you during this sad time. We hope the happy memories you have will help you.
Amy,
Sorry to read of the death of your mom. I remember her fondly from the many times I came over to your house when we were kids.
What a beautiful tribute to Betty. Jim and I fondly remember her and her family when we lived in Lancaster Township many years ago, and we welcomed her to Homestead Village. Our best wishes to all her family. Alace and Jim Humphreville
Hello Mr. and Mrs, Humpriville.
Thank you for your kind wishes. I knew you both were at HV and hoped to run into you. It would have been nice.
Kind regards,
Roger Randolph
You do not know me but I want to let the family know that this is one of the most beautiful and heartfelt obituaries I have ever read. I can picture a very lively and adventurous life and the naturalness of a sometimes “sharp” tongue. A life well lived and a hereafter of peace and contentment.
Amy and Roger, I am so sorry for your and your family’s loss. It seems she led a wonderful and full life. May she rest in peace and I hope you will have peace and calm in your hearts. It is a lovely obituary.
Amy, So very sorry to hear about the loss of your precious mother. I remember meeting her at the Scranton Cultural Center. What a lovely woman. She certainly led a full life and you have many of her characteristics. She will be fondly remembered by all. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts at this difficult time. Love Jan, Dave and family.
Richard and I send our condolences to the family. Betty had an amazingly full life and leaves wonderful memories for me having worked with her in the Lab at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Sending our prayers ..
What a wonderful tribute to Betty. Fred and I always looked forward to dinner invitations as she was a wonderful cook. Her kindness and generosity toward animals was one of her best qualities. I loved her spirit of adventure. I took a road trip with her and we got lost in Louisville Ky. She assured me we would find our way. And we did. This was before GPS. I will miss her. Hers was a life well lived.
What a beautiful obituary of a beautiful life ! Amy, though I didn’t know your Mom personally, your eloquent words made me realize what a wonderful person she was. You are a living testament to her wonderful qualities as a Mom.
I know you’ll miss her deeply but she’ll always be with you in your memories. God bless
Amy,
What a beautiful obituary for your Mom. I feel like I knew her. She would have loved it – I’m sure she’s so proud of you. May she and your Dad now rest in peace together
What a lovely tribute to your mother.
Betty was such a strong and independent woman. I worked with her for many years and have many fond memories of her.
Dear Amy,
I can see from her photograph that she was a very kind person. It is hard to lose a mother as sweeet as her, but remember that she would want you to be thinking of all the good times you had together! She is resting peacefully now and is holding you in the light of her smile.
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What a wonderful obituary. It captured the essence of Bettys wonderful life.
Betty and I met at Albright and became good friends until her death We were both biology majors and lab technicians. We kept in touch after graduation and visited each other frequently. We emailed one another with personal info and movie recommendations. I will miss her very much
Joan