Elizabeth Ann Coll

Elizabeth Ann Coll Elizabeth Ann Coll (Roche), known to all as "Betty," died March 24, 2023 after a long and loving life. She was predeceased by her sister Regina, mother Mary and husband Hugh. Betty was born in Brooklyn New York in 1931 before Brooklyn was fashionable. As an infant, Betty moved to Newfoundland Canada with her sister Regina and her mother Mary. While a remote fishing village is seeming an unlikely destination for a one-year-old, Bay Bulls NFLD was Betty's ancestral home and where she spent the next 20 years. First in the church school, and later at St Clare's nursing school in St. Johns, Betty was a stellar student and set a high bar for scholastic accomplishment for her future family.

Betty met her husband Hugh Paul Coll (Dick) in Newfoundland when he was working on the DEW line for the US government. He cut a dashing figure as a young man and Betty was smitten, so they married and settled in Bucks County Pennsylvania where they raised five children. All five children survive Betty and Hugh: Michael Louis (Nancy Buchanan, James Buchanan and Daniel Michael), Mary Regina (Rob Sherrod, Owen Patrick & Melinda, and William Thomas), John Patrick, James Paul (Michelle Nelsen, Matt and Evan), Andrew Stephen (Bobby Thurman). Once her children were of school age, she resumed her nursing career caring for the elderly.

As life slowed for them and they were rewarded their retirement, Betty and Hugh moved to Coatesville, PA. First at Hillview where each sunset from their deck was like a picture postcard, and later to Freedom Village where Betty spent her last years indulging in her favorite pursuits - reading voraciously, crafting complicated needlepoint canvases, and finding ways to incorporate chocolate into almost any meal.

Betty will be remembered by family, friends, and those who helped care for her as a generous and happy soul, always chipper and eager to engage in small talk (especially about the weather like all of the Irish). Betty had a way of greeting everyone that was welcoming and warm. Her smile, her lilting accent and quick wit will be missed and will remain a cherished memory for those of us who had the privilege to share it with her.

A reception will be held at Freedom Village celebrating her life with the staff who cared for her while living there. Betty will be interred with Hugh at All Souls Cemetery in Coatesville. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a spring blooming perennial to remind you of her at this time of year. Donations can be made to the Community Youth and Woman's Alliance (CYWA) at 423 E. Lincoln Highway Coatesville, PA 19320.