Obituary of Betty Beam Salmon

Betty Beam Salmon, 86, of State College, died Thursday, December 8, 2016, at Mt. Nittany Medical Center. She was born on May 8, 1930, also in State College, and was the daughter of Faye Boggs, a homemaker, and A.L. Beam, Professor of Animal Husbandry at the College of Agriculture at Penn State. Betty graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1952. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Harry E. Salmon; four children: Robert E. Salmon (Carol); James S. Salmon (Julia); Steven L. Salmon, and Ann Salmon Grotz (David). She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Ryan, Emma, Laura, Genevieve, Matthew, Jack, Keith and Emily -- all of whom love her very much. Since 1952 Betty was a member of P.E.O, first in Manhasset, N.Y., the town she, Harry and their children lived in for more than thirty years, and starting in 1989 in State College. She and Harry also taught Sunday School at the Manhasset Congregational Church. Betty loved her husband, her children and grandchildren, the plants and flowers she tended so devotedly, the squirrels and birds she fed daily, and the beloved books she read over and over. She kept an impeccable and beautiful home, made nutritious and delicious meals, sewed most of her own clothes and many of her children's and grandchildren's. After raising their family, she and Harry went on many world travels, packing one small suitcase each and keeping a daily journal of expenses. Betty was thrifty and organized to a fault, and took her role as homemaker and life's companion seriously. She will be greatly missed. She is preceded in death by her brother, Robert Beam, also of State College; her other brother, Richard Beam, and her sister, Dorothy Beam Quackenbush. Many thanks go to the staff at the Wellness Center and at the Atrium at the Village at Penn State for their kindness and care. Information regarding her memorial service will be announced at a future date. In the meantime, in lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions be made to the State College Presbyterian Church (the church where Betty was both baptized and married) at 132 W. Beaver Ave, State College, PA 16801 or P.E.O. Chapter S, 742 Cornwall Rd., State College, PA 16803. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or mailed to Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St. State College, PA 16801, in care of Harry Salmon.