Elizabeth "Betty Ann" P. (Passmore) McCalips

Elizabeth “Betty Ann” P. McCalips, 83, of Lewistown, died peacefully on July 15, 2018 at Locust Grove Retirement Village following an extended illness.

Elizabeth was born in State College on January 8, 1935 to the late Austin and Harriet (Walizer) Passmore.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: a daughter, Cindy Vogt; grandson, Jonathan Houy; and siblings, Robert Passmore (Bonnie), Charles Passmore (Helen) and Cathy Sprinkle (Ted, deceased).

She is survived by: her husband, Melvin Cook McCalips, whom she married on July 3, 1955; daughters, Cathy McCalips (Jeffrey Silks) of Mount Pleasant Mills, and Linda Houy (Michael) of Monroeville; a sister, Deborah Carodiskey (Thomas, deceased), of Lewistown; grandchildren, Charlie Vogt, Megan Kauffman, Benjamin Vogt, Michael Vogt, Matthew Houy and James McPherson; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and in-laws, Kay and Richard Wilcher, Helen Passmore and Bonnie Passmore.

Betty Ann graduated from Lewistown Joint High School in 1952.  She was Methodist by faith.

During her lifetime, she worked at the Viscose, for United Cerebral Palsy, as a school crossing guard and as the Tipstaff at the Mifflin County Courthouse for eight years. She volunteered as a band booster for Penn Highlands and Lewistown Area marching bands.

Betty Ann was accomplished at sewing, baking, knitting and woodworking.  She was a voracious reader and enjoyed time with family and friends.  She looked forward to her morning cup of coffee, reading the newspaper, visits from Boomer, listening to Patsy Cline, and watching cooking shows, westerns and the Steelers on TV.  Betty appreciated flowers, the garden and her hummingbirds.  Her day would be brightened by children, especially babies.

One of the greatest adventures of her life was a cross country motorcycle trip with her husband Melvin to California in 1981 which lasted 34 days and covered 10,272 miles.  Betty kept a detailed journal of their trip which they often revisited.  There was also great sadness in her life with having to endure the early deaths of her daughter Cindy and grandson Jon.  Through it all, Betty kept her loving and unique caregiving quality which defined her personality.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown.  A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 19, 2018, at the funeral home, with Pastor Randy Traxler officiating. 

Interment will take place at Juniata Memorial Park, with a luncheon to follow.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Betty’s life. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Betty Ann’s memory may be made to The Jon Houy Memorial Fund, c/o The Pittsburgh Foundation, 5 PPG Place #250, Pittsburgh, PA  15222.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful people that have supported them and the staff at Locust Grove Retirement Village for their loving care and dedication.

“In my Father’s house there are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2.

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