Elizabeth "Betty" Ann Long Byers

Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Long Byers, 96 of Lancaster, PA died Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Moravian Manor Nursing Home Health Center. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Professor William F. Long and Cora A. Swope Long and was married to Robert H. Byers for 60 years until his death in 2003. Betty attended the Shippen School and graduated from the first Women’s Class of J.P. McCaskey High School in 1939. Following high school. She attended F&M college as the first co-ed with Marie Aierstock in the summer of 1942 and graduated from Pembroke (Brown University) class of 1943, with a degree in English. Following graduation, she married Robert in Rhode Island, a week before he deployed as a commissioned officer in the Navy during WWII. Betty worked at Murray Insurance Agency until her son Jeff was born. She also volunteered in the business office of St. Joseph Hospital in the early 1980’s. Betty was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. She enjoyed traveling and took seven European trips with her husband. She and Robert lived in Key West Florida from 1951 -1953 while Robert served in the Navy during the Korean War. She enjoyed taking long walks in the F&M and Buchanan Park neighborhoods where she enjoyed nature. Her interests included playing bridge, reading and doing the Sunday NYT crossword puzzles. She also loved jazz and big band music. The family wishes to thank the nursing staffs of Moravian Manor and Central Penn Nursing for their many years of service and care for Betty. A special thanks to Stella, Tabitha, Earla, and Trudy, Betty’s longtime CNA caregivers from Central Penn Nursing. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey W. Byers, and his wife, Judy of North Carolina and her daughter, Kathryn B. wife of George Kunkel of Lancaster; three grandchildren: Jonathan H. Byers (wife Jazmine) of Meisenheimer, NC, Gregory W. Byers (wife Brittany) of Weaverville, NC and Lindsey K. Kunkel of Philadelphia and four great-grandchildren: Mackinzie, Camden, Lillian and Jordan Byers. Betty was preceded in death by two siblings: Kathryn “Kitty” Helm and Carl F. Long. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the Historic Fred F. Groff, Inc., 234 W. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA. with Rev. Lance F. Mullins officiating. The family will receive friends and family from 10-11 a.m. until the time of the service. Betty’s favorite color, which would brighten her day, was purple. All those who attend are invited to wear something of purple. Private family interment will be in Longenecker’s Reformed Mennonite Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Wisdom’s Table at St. Peter’s UCC, 816 Buchanan Avenue, Lancaster, PA.