Elizabeth Williams Coolbaugh

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP — Elizabeth "Betty Jeanne" "BJ" Williams Coolbaugh, 79, of Franklin Township, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family and friends on Jan. 27, 2018.

Born June 13, 1938, in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Robert J. Williams and Elizabeth Hoffman Williams. She graduated from St. Nicholas High School, class of 1956, and Wilkes-Barre Vocational and Technical School of Nursing. After graduation, she was employed by Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and Highland Manor nursing home as a licensed practical nurse. Following retirement in 2006, she volunteered to sit with the sick at local hospitals until she became ill.

Betty Jeanne was an active member of St. Frances Cabrini/ Blessed Sacrament Parish where she served as a Eucharistic minister, cantor and lector. She also was a member of the Northmoreland Volunteer Fire Company and former member of the Franklin Northmoreland Ambulance Association.

A "superhero" to say the least, BJ never missed a sporting event, school function, dance recital or chorus concert. Near or far, she was always there amongst the crowd, whether it was sneaking into a delivery room for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, or just being an on-call nurse to many in her life. She loved traveling with her friend of 50 plus years, Ellen Saporito. Whether it was roaming Catholic churches in Ireland or catching a glimpse of the Pope in Philadelphia, nothing stopped the two of them from enjoying life.

She was preceded in death by her brother, James Williams, and sister, Marion Schwerdtman.

Surviving are her six children that she loved and adored, Arthur P. Coolbaugh and Marianne, of Dallas, Robert P. Coolbaugh and Ann, of Tunkhannock, who aided with doctor appointments for the last year, Mary Jo Colangelo and Joseph, of Falls, Nancy Kuffa and John, of Dallas, Perry A. Coolbaugh and Linda, of Dallas, Edward P. Coolbaugh and Natalie, of Harveys Lake; 19 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Ann Diaz, Barbara Buchman and Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their loving support toward Betty Jeanne and her family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 585 Mount Olivet Road, Carverton. Family and friends who are attending the service are asked to go directly to the church on Saturday morning. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at the Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 Park Avenue, Wilkes-Barre.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Online condolences can be sent by visiting Betty Jeanne's obituary www.natandgawlas.com.