Helen E. (Betty) Zabrusky was born September 5, 1922 in Canon City, Colorado and passed away November 27, 2016. Betty was the sixth of nine children to be born to Michael and Helen (Vavra) Zabrusky. From childhood Betty, along with her family, attended St. Michael Catholic Church. She was proud of being a founding member of the Daughters of Isabella. Betty attended school in Canon City graduating from Canon City High School.
After graduation Betty began a lifelong occupation with Mountain Bell and AT&T. She started as an operator in Canon City using the switchboard and plug system of the day. She briefly transferred to the Mountain Bell Office in Salida, Colorado and then to Colorado Springs, where she spent the remainder of her career. While with the Colorado Springs office, Betty was promoted from telephone operator to the Secretary of the Pioneer Club consisting of all the retired employees of Mountain Bell and AT&T.
She delighted in planning retirement parties and other festive occasions during the holiday season and throughout the year. One of her fondest memories was the occasion when the Pioneers presented several soft balls to the Deaf and Blind school in Colorado Springs. The soft balls were engineered and constructed by Mountain Bell and would emit an audible sound thus allowing blind allowing blind children to play the American pastime of baseball. After completing her career with the telephone company, Betty enjoyed her retirement along with her sister, Dorothy. They took many trips both in this country as well as abroad. When at home in Colorado Springs they volunteered several hundred hours of service to the U.S. Olympic effort particularly to the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating programs. They were very proud of the brick inscribed with the family name in the wall of the Broadmoor World Arena as well as a brick in the clock tower in downtown Canon City.
Betty was an avid sports fan. She was a season ticket holder of Air Force football from the very beginning and Michigan State sports teams could always count on Betty's support. Tailgating at both schools football games was a favorite time for her. Along with sporting events, Betty enjoyed time spent with sorority sisters and members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church community. Betty could always be recognized by her bright smile and red hair.
In 2014, when Dorothy and Betty's health began to decline, they decided to come back home to Canon City. Since that time she has resided at Skyline Ridge Nursing facility where the nurses and staff have become a second family for her.
She is survived by nephews, George E. Johnson, of Lakewood, CO, Ken Zabrusky; nieces, Patricia A. McFarland, Kathy Humphrey, Kris Zabrusky; and sister-in-law Betty Jo (Bernard) Zabrusky all of Canon City.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; and all of her siblings, Rudy Zabrusky, Martha Zabrusky, Mary Ann (George) Johnson, Bernard Zabrusky, John Zabrusky, Dorothy Zabrusky, Ed Zabrusky, and Francis Zabrusky.
Mass of Christian Burial, 9:00 a.m. Saturday, December 3, St. Michael Catholic Church, Canon City, Reverend Jesse Perez officiating. Interment to follow at Lakeside Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the care of Wilson Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
My thoughts and prayers are with Betty's family & friends at this time of loss. May all of the wonderful memories keep her close and in our hearts forever. I celebrate her life.
Barbara Miller
December 2, 2016
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
The Staff of Wilson-Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory
December 1, 2016
I'm sorry for your loss. May the Lord comfort you.
Dan Dilley
December 1, 2016
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