Elizabeth "Beth" McCracken

Elizabeth "Beth" McCracken, 63, of Pittsburgh, PA, passed peacefully on Friday, July 11, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. Beth was born February 24, 1962 to Arthur M. and Anna Marie McCracken (nee Cipilone). She was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She was a kind, passionate, loyal, loving, and hardworking person who often put the needs of others before her own. She felt strongly about justice and civil rights and was a valued resource for friends regarding all things political. Beth lived her life honestly, with integrity and humor. She remained true to her values and she made an impression on pretty much everyone she met with her strength and positive energy.

A graduate of Bethel Park High School, Beth earned her cosmetology license and was a hair dresser for many years with some of her clients becoming lifelong friends. When she retired from hairdressing, she started a second career as a paralegal; retiring when her illness made it too difficult to work.

She met her wife, Ginny Bell, 35 years ago. Happy and devoted they had a commitment ceremony in 1991 and were legally married in 2013.

Beth enjoyed traveling, cooking, gardening and riding in her convertible. She treasured times when she was able to entertain friends and family in the home and gardens that she loved to work on.

She was also a devoted pet parent providing a loving, caring forever home to numerous adopted dogs and cats over the years.

She fought a long, hard battle with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. During her cancer battle, she became a grassroots activist fighting for patient's rights during the UPMC/Highmark battle in Western Pennsylvania. She was one of the patients at the center of the documentary, InHospitable, which followed that battle as an example of a broken healthcare system. She was angered by the need for patients to have to risk their health to fight for their healthcare, and she used that anger to energize her. She often said that while she started out fighting for herself she became inspired to fight on behalf of the thousands of others who could not. She represented patients speaking in front of the UPMC Board in Pittsburgh, state representatives in Harrisburg and a federal senate committee in Washington D.C. She was very proud of the part she played in the ultimate resolution of that fight and was recognized in 2019 by the Pennsylvania Health Access Network as Activist of the Year.

Remaining to cherish Beth's memory are wife and best friend, Ginny Bell; siblings, Dave (Spring Hill, FL), Bruce (Cottage City, MD), Bobby (Spring Hill, FL) and Suzy (West Mifflin, PA); aunt, Adele Bowser (Washington, PA); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; cherished friends, Michael, Joe, Mike, Dean, Steve, Analeisa, Nancy, Becky, Wendy, and Karen, among others; as well as her beloved dogs, Duncan and Hines, and cats, Izzy and Gordon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Glenn and Rick.

At Beth's request there will not be a funeral, but rather a Celebration of Life held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Beth's memory may be made to: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 442, Needham, MA 02494, or an animal rescue charity of your choice. Arrangements are entrusted to BRUSCO-NAPIER FUNERAL SERVICE, LTD., 2201 Bensonia Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15216.

May your memories of Beth fill you with joy and gratitude for the times shared with her, and the ways she touched your life.