Elizabeth "Betty" Barbagallo

Elizabeth "Betty" Barbagallo, age 81, of Millcreek, passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at her residence. She was born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania on November 14, 1931, a daughter of the late Homer and Esther Guthrie Dickert. Betty worked as a counselor at Vocational Rehabilitation before her retirement. A lifelong active volunteer for a variety of organizations, she was among the founders of MECA, an advocacy organization for people with disabilities and helped to arrange its affiliation with the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Pennsylvania. She had served as president of the local board of MECA and as a member of the UCP state and national associations. She was a past president of the Erie Branch, American Association of University Women, and served on the board of Hooked on Books, and the advisory board of Family Services of Erie County. Betty also delivered meals for the Meals on Wheels Program for many years. She had been a member of Lakeshore Country Club. She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard B. Barbagallo in 2008, and a brother, Richard Dickert. Betty is survived by a son, Stephen B. Barbagallo, of Erie; a daughter, Jenifer A. Wolfram and Dwayne A. Gross, of Erie; six grandchildren, Allen Yingling wife Rebecca, Matthew Wolfram Jr., Kathrine, Joseph, Anna and Richard Wolfram; and two great-grandchildren, Adon Yingling and Anthony DePaul. No calling hours will be observed. Burial will be private in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Betty's family would like to give special thanks to her caregivers, Pat Stewart and Lori Ferguson. Memorials may be made to Mecca United Cerebral Palsy, 1611 Peach Street # 135, Erie, PA 16501, or the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation, 100 Barber Place, Erie, PA 16507. Arrangements were handled by Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street at Greengarden Boulevard. Condolences and photos may be added at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com