Betty Jane Bushong

Betty Jane Bushong (Galla), a classy, fun-loving lady who was loved and adored by all who knew her, passed away on June 26, 2018, in the comfort of her home with her loving family by her side.

Betty was born on August 13, 1934, to John and Elizabeth Galla in Youngstown, Ohio.  She married Charles “Chuck” Merle Bushong on June 12, 1954 and shared 44 years of marriage until his death on August 30, 1998.  Besides her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers John, Paul, Eddie and Billy and sister Annie Parobek.  Her surviving sisters are Elsie Hilton of Naples, Florida and MaryAnn(George) Richardson of Canfield, Ohio.

Betty leaves behind her 3 loving daughters and their families, BettyAnn Bushong of Largo, Florida, Linda(Bushong) and Jim Kubicina of Rochester Hills, Michigan and Treasure Island, Florida, and Karen(Bushong) and Ken Welty of Canfield, Ohio, with whom she made her home.  She leaves 4 grandchildren, Jimmy (Abigail) Kubicina; Julie (Steve) Gutwald; Ashley Welty, Michael (Lauren) Welty and 5 beautiful great-grandchildren who she adored.  Betty also leaves her very special friend Richard “Dick” Allen who she enjoyed traveling with to many historic places/states as well as a land/cruise to Alaska and of course many casinos.  Betty loved her brother and sister in laws and all her nieces and nephews very much and looked forward to our annual Fourth of July and Christmas Eve Reunions.

Betty lived most of her life in Austintown, Ohio,  Upon selling her home, she began “snowbirding” in Largo, Florida the last 5 years with her little Yorky “Buddy” who was “Mommy’s Little boy”.  She had 15 wonderful years with her little Buddy, losing him in January of this year.  She enjoyed living close to her daughters BettyAnn and Linda, spending lots of time with them.

Betty graduated from Chaney High School in 1952 and recently attended her 65th class reunion.  She retired in 1995 from The Tamarkin Company (Giant Eagle) after working 22 years in their offices as a Produce Buyer for 4 states.  (She still remembered the code for bananas).  She also worked as a cashier at Century on the Westside and then Loblaw’s and Value King prior to Tamarkin.

Betty was the most loving and giving person.  She was always smiling and laughing.  She loved her family more than anything in the world and loved always spending time with them.  She had a very special relationship with each daughter and they each considered her “their best friend”.  Betty enjoyed her yearly trips to the Caribbean with her eldest daughter BettyAnn, traveling to Scotland, Paris and San Francisco with her daughter Linda and gambling with her daughter Karen and her husband Kenny (the big Kahuna, as she referred him) to local casinos as well as her annual Mother’s Day trip with Karen to Las Vegas (Thelma & Louise).  She very much enjoyed her 75th birthday trip to Las Vegas with her family where she even took a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon.

Betty’s family would like to thank all the nurses who showed love and compassion to her including the 5th floor nurses at St Elizabeth (Boardman Campus);  MVI Homecare skilled nurses Holly and Pam and MVI Hospice Nurses Gina and especially “Amy” who came to her home twice on her last day, staying with her family till the end and allowing Betty to die with dignity and grace. They would also like to thank Chaplin Joe Congemi with MVI Hospice and the Rev. D. Gary Schreckengost from her church for their visits on Betty’s last day, giving her prayer, comfort and blessings.  She knew they were both there with her and we believe they gave her peace.

Betty is a member of The Historic Church of Saint John on Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio where she was baptized, confirmed and married and also served on their Ladies Alter Guild.  She is a member of Branch 22 at the Youngstown Saxon Club where she enjoyed playing on the women’s bocce team.

Viewing will be on Sunday, July 1, 2018, from 5pm - 8 pm at Blackstone Funeral Home on Churchill Road in Girard, Ohio.  On July 2, 2018, from  9:30 - 10:30 am, there will be a Resting in State at the chapel in the Historic Church of Saint John , 1429 Mahoning Avenue at Whitney, Youngstown, Ohio. 44509 with the full funeral service to follow at 10:30 am, followed by a cemetery graveside service at the Girard Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Historic Saint John Church or to the Angels for Animals, 4750 W. South Range Road, Canfield, Ohio 44406 (angelsforanimals.org).