Martha E. "Betty" Brown

Martha Elizabeth "Betty" Brown, 98, of Dallastown, passed away peacefully of natural causes on January 2, 2016 at SpiriTrust Lutheran Home in Shrewsbury, PA. Born October 24, 1917 on the Brown Croft Farm in Fawn Grove, Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin Guy Brown and Aurora Olsen Brown. Betty is survived by her sister, Kathryn Brown Jordan of Stewartstown and brother, Joseph M. Brown and sister-in-law, Margaret Brown, both of Fawn Grove; nephews, Darrell Griffiths, David Brown and Russell Brown; nieces, JoAnn Brown Clement, Rachel Jordan Hall and Rosanne Jordan White; and 6 great-nieces and nephews, Jordan, Joseph, Allison, Cameron, Nathan and Amanda. As a child, Betty attended Brown and McElwain Schools, both one-room schools, and Fawn Vocational High School, graduating in 1935. After High School Betty went to work for the Fawn Grove Telephone Exchange and learned to operate the switchboard at a time when callers still lifted their receiver, and the operator asked for "your number please". Betty had a 30 year career working for Western National Bank in York (currently Wells Fargo Bank). She began operating the switchboard and retired from the trust department in 1980. A Charter Member of York Hiking Club, and its oldest living member, Betty was an avid hiker and loved the outdoors. Betty loved children, and all of her nieces and nephews recall hiking trips with Betty throughout York County and having picnics at Pinchot Park. Embroidery and knitting were two of Betty's hobbies and she made beautiful sweaters and handwork. Betty was also a lifelong member of Centre Presbyterian Church in New Park. A big lover of the card game "500", Betty was always ready for an evening of cards with family and friends. Even her great-nieces and nephews learned to play cards with Betty. Travel was another hobby, attending 5 World Fairs, and trips to Arizona, Michigan and Idaho to visit family and friends. Special thanks to the Country Meadows Pathways staff for their kindness and caring for the last several years, and allowing Betty to go on her wheelchair "walks" and be outside in the sunshine. It truly made her happy. Also, many thanks to the SpiriTrust Lutheran Home skilled care and hospice teams, for their care and comfort during the last months of Betty's life. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Friday, January 8 at Centre Presbyterian Church, 83 New Park Road, New Park, PA. Interment will immediately follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Women of Centre, c/o Ann Smith, 95 Woolen Mill Rd., New Park, PA 17352. J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, Inc., 19 S. Main St., Stewartstown, PA is assisting the family.