Betty McDonough

Betty J. McDonough, age 74 years, of Exeter, passed away Wednesday, June 18th, peacefully at her residence.

Betty was born in Pottstown on March 11, 1940, a daughter of the late Dorothy J. (Snyder) Hamel-Schmidt and Earl A. Hamel.

She was predeceased by her stepfather, Max Schmidt Sr.; first husband, J. Thomas Pope in 1971; and her second husband, Charles J. McDonough in 2000.

Betty was a dedicated and passionate drug and alcohol counselor for over 28 years, working at St. Joseph Hospital Newman Center, Caron Foundation, Berks County TASC, and Transitions Inc., where she retired in 2013. She was the recipient of numerous awards, receiving a Congressional Citation for her dedication to helping those overcome chemical dependency and the 2002 Pennsylvania Woman of the Year.

She volunteered at Berks County Visiting Nurse Association Hospice, served on the Berks County Council on Chemical Abuse for 20 years and was a former President of the Board at Easy Does It, Inc.

She celebrated 35 years of sobriety and dedicated her life to her family and people in recovery. She lived her life by the saying, "Nothing happens in God's world by mistake."

Betty is survived her three daughters: Laura Griffith, partner of Kerry Joffred, of Exeter; Susan Seltzer, of Leland, NC; and Kelly, wife of Todd Miller, of Birdsboro; two sons: Thomas, husband of Rochelle Pope, of Exeter; Lee A. Pope, partner of Dana, of New Ringold; and brother, Max, husband of Bea Schmidt Jr., of Douglassville.

She is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Kristi J. Piersol, E. Rose Powell, Kylie Ludwig, James Ludwig, Jason Pope, Jennifer Pope, Garicin Moore, Dylan Moore, Krystl Faust, David Pope, Austin Pope, Braedon Pope, Stephanie Henn, Nichole Henn; as well as 19 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, Mahlon Hamel.

Celebration of Life service will be 2 p.m. on Sunday at Easy Does It, Inc., 1300 Hilltop Rd., Leesport, PA 19533. Interment is private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to be made to Easy Does It, Inc., 1300 Hilltop Rd., Leesport, PA 19533 or the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, PO Box 69, Mohnton, PA 19540.

Arrangements entrusted to the John P. Feeney Funeral Home, in Reading's Centre Park Historic District, 625 N. 4th St. at Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601. Obituary, directions and condolences at www.johnfeeneyfuneralhome.com.