Elizabeth Ann "Bette" Parsons

1925 - 2018

1925-2018 Elizabeth Ann (Bette) Parsons passed away peacefully with loving family members by her side on December 15, 2018. Bette shared 66 years of marriage with her loving husband Don prior to his passing in 2013. Bette’s life was devoted to her faith in our Lord, to raising her family of eight children, and supporting Don’s dreams which included his vision to create Communications Test Design, Inc. (CTDI) whose employees then became part of her extended family. The daughter of Martin and Mary Elizabeth McDonough, Bette was born in Philadelphia and grew up in West Philadelphia along with her siblings Kathryn (Kass), Jack and Leo. Bette attended Most Blessed Sacrament elementary school and graduated from West Catholic Girls High School. Following high school, Bette went to work at PSFS in downtown Philadelphia until she met the love of her life, Don, who had recently returned from serving in the U.S. Navy. Don and Bette began raising their soon-to-be large family in Glenolden prior to moving out to West Chester in 1960. Bette and Don enjoyed life after raising their eight children. They loved to travel and had fun with their close group of friends that they all affectionately named the “DOZI’s.” She continued to enjoy her growing family which included 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren at the time of her passing. Bette was a quiet, well-read and informed wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Her petite stature and humble, mild manner did not portray her immense strength, courage, kindness and faith. Her children experienced this first-hand as she ran the house and kept everyone in line or in check until “their father got home!” She provided wise words of advice and was always there when life’s challenges derailed one’s plans. Bette, with Don, instilled values of family and faith by their always-evident example of “How can we help?” Bette was preceded in death by her loving husband Don, siblings Kass, Jack and Leo and great-grandchildren Liam, Aliza and Finn. Celebrating her great life of 93+ years are the Honorable Donald F., Jr. (Ethel), Dr. Robert (Marilyn), Richard (Claudia), Gerald “(Jerry”) (Eleanor), Elizabeth A. “(Beth”) Forsythe, Sister M. Judith Kathryn I.H.M., Leo (Maryanne) and Christine Bendinelli. Don and Bette’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren are Ann (Bastian) and Etta; Elliot (Melissa) and Owen and Lila; Amy and Luella; Kevin (Lisa) and Alexis, Haiden and Eve; Jessica Minchak (Justin) and Kaelyn and Tanner; Sean (Lauren); Andrew (Kathleen) and Joshua, Drew, Samantha and Jamie; Lisa Kelly (Mike); Brian (Brigid) and Nola and Johnny; Kathryn Montone (Keith) and Sammy, Ellie and Julie; Michael (Christine) and Mary, Sarah and Michael; Rachel; Meredith; Matthew (Megan) and Reagan, Blakely, Louis and Kaine; Mark (Katie); Leo; Megan; Elise; Catherine and Joseph. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, December 21, 2018 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1327 Boot Rd., West Chester, Pa. 19380. The Viewing for family and friends will be at the church on Thursday, December 20, 2018 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Interment will be held in All Souls Cemetery, Coatesville, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bette’s memory may be made to Camilla Hall at IHM Office of Mission Advancement, 230 IHM Drive, Malvern, Pa. 19355 or to CTDI C.A.R.E.S. (Care, Assistance & Resources for Employee Support) at CTDI, Attention: CTDI C.A.R.E.S., 1373 Enterprise Drive, West Chester, Pa. 19380. Arrangements are being handled by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith and Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com