Obituary of Elizabeth J. Hetzel

Betsy Shelly Hetzel, age 76, formerly of Reading, PA, Progress/Harrisburg, PA, and Pasadena, MD, returned home to State College, PA, March 2013 and died June 22, 2017, at Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, PA.

Betsy was born in Reading, PA, and raised in Reading and Harrisburg, PA. She was a 1958 graduate of Susquehanna Township High School (Harrisburg, PA) and Gettysburg College, class of 1962 (Gettysburg, PA), where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority; she was awarded The Order of the Rose for 50-year membership. Gettysburg College meant a lot to her, a proud alumna, and she was the 1962 Class Correspondent for Gettysburg, the alumni magazine, a "job" which she loved. She was also a contributing member of The Cupola Society of donors to the college.

Betsy moved to State College in 1963, was blessed with two children and started teaching English for the State College Area School District at Park Forest Junior High School. She served as Department Chairperson and as Interdisciplinary Team Leader; she retired in 1992 when she moved to Maryland. In Maryland she was a member of the American Association of University Women, tutored at Sylvan Learning Center, was an active member of Book Women, and enjoyed several women's social groups. She returned to State College in March 2013. She joined OLLI, a Penn State life-long learning organization, and Women's Welcome Wagon Lunch Bunch. Betsy loved her retired teachers' book group, and participated in many retired teacher social activities, such as movie and dinner every weekend and Mexican Train Dominoes twice a month, as well as enjoying State College's many cultural activities. She loved live theater, spent 10 seasons at The Stratford Theatre Festival, and was well traveled both in the U.S. and abroad.

She was predeceased by her parents Helen and Clare Shelly and husband Larry Hetzel. Her children and grandchildren were the delights of her life; she loved their 15th birthday trips! She is survived by her daughter Pamela K. Graci, Port Matilda, PA; her son Jeffrey M. Graci and daughter-in-law Karen T. Graci, Charlotte, NC; step daughter and husband Raelani and Russell Marton, Houston, TX; and grandchildren Taylor M. Grossmann, Alden Marton, Heather Graci, Amber Graci, Skylar Hetzel and Hunter Hetzel. She is also survived by a cousin, James Borrell, and his family of Reading, PA.

A Celebration of her Life for family and friends will be held at The Nittany Lion Inn on Friday, June 30 at 2 pm, and a private burial will be held at Laureldale Cemetery, Reading, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to State College PAWS, 1401 Trout Road, State College, PA 16801, but she would be happiest if an act of kindness were performed in her memory. Koch Funeral Home is assisting the family.