Betty Jane Pash

1932 - 2025

Betty Jane Pash passed away peacefully at her home in Fresno at age 93. Betty was born and raised in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, the youngest child of Louise and Sidney Baron. After graduating from Old Forge High School, Betty earned her nursing diploma from Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania and worked as a nurse, first at Francis Delafield Hospital in New York City and then at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis. While in Minnesota, her supervisor set her up on a blind date with a young doctor from the supervisor's hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba --- Earl Pash. They married in September, 1955, and were together for 51 years. Earl was the great love of Betty's life, and she missed him every day since his passing in June of 2006.

After moving to Fresno in 1959, Betty and Earl raised a family, and Betty continued her professional studies, earning a Bachelors of Science, Nursing (summa cum laude) in June 1970, and a Masters of Science, Nursing (magna cum laude) in 1972, both from California State University, Fresno. Betty continued her postgraduate studies, earning a Masters in Human Resources and Organizational Development from the University of San Francisco in 1987. Betty enjoyed a long and distinguished professional career at St. Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, where she served in various positions before retiring as Vice President of Nursing in 1995.

Betty was a marvelous wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was active professionally and in the social life of Fresno, serving on the Ladies' Auxiliary of St. Agnes, the Holiday Guild of Valley Children's Healthcare, and as a member of the Fig Garden Women's Club. Betty loved to entertain, shop, and travel, particularly for family events in Europe, Los Angeles, New York, and Sun Valley. Nothing gave Betty more pleasure than being around her grandchildren -- and more recently, great-grandchildren -- caring for them, imparting wisdom to new moms and dads, and sharing in the children's accomplishments, both large and small. Family and friends will remember Betty's energy, sense of humor, and wonderful expressions.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Earl and her brother Alfred. She is survived by her brother Vincent of Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Betty will be deeply missed by son Jeffrey and his wife Betsy of New York City; son David and his wife Shanda of Los Angeles; daughter Rose Angela "Missy" Calvert and her husband Bill of Los Angeles; son Sidney and his wife Melinda of Fayetteville, NC; her 10 beloved grandchildren, Justin Pash and his wife Leigh of New York City, Lucy Pash of Washington, D.C., Michael Pash and Sarah Margaret Pash of New York, Elizabeth Pash of Los Angeles, Ryan Calvert and his wife Chisato of Petaluma, CA, Matthew Calvert and his wife Laura of Sun Valley, ID, Katherine Calvert of Los Angeles, and Graham and Sam Pash of Fayetteville, NC; and great granddaughters Kaya and Amika Calvert of Petaluma, and Charlotte Calvert of Sun Valley.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty's memory to Valley Children's Healthcare or St. Agnes Medical Center.