Elizabeth M. Bennis

Elizabeth M. Bennis, 88, passed away on July 1, 2016.

"Betty", the daughter of James and Marion Nangle, was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on December 6, 1927.

She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School and St. Joseph's School of Nursing.

While in nursing school, Betty met the love of her life, Walter J. Bennis, Jr., and they married in 1949. Walt was recalled into active duty with the United States Navy in 1950 and Betty sailed to the French Riviera with their first child, Joan, to join him while he was aboard ship in the Mediterranean. Upon returning to the United States, Betty and Walt were blessed with seven more children and lived in West Reading and Wyomissing until 1965 when a job transfer took the family to Cleveland, Ohio. While there, Betty returned to nursing at St. Vincent's Charity Hospital. After eight years in Cleveland, the family returned to Pennsylvania and settled, once again, in Wyomissing. Betty continued her nursing career at St. Joseph's Hospital until she retired. Betty and Walt were fortunate to be offered expatriate opportunities in Australia (1988), New Zealand (1989) and England (1990-1993) and enjoyed exploring these parts of the world.

Betty loved children and after raising her eight, was blessed with 22 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Never one to forget a birthday or anniversary, she kept the greeting card companies in business as she remembered everyone in the family. Betty loved to sing and music was always playing at home. She and Walt were big patrons of musical theatre, whether on Broadway or at local venues. Betty and Walt took up golf in the 1980's and in addition to playing the game, enjoyed attending golf tournaments around the country. Their annual family reunion, held each summer, even included a friendly tournament.

Betty and Walt moved to The Highlands in Wyomissing in 2006. Betty has resided in Heather Court, the Memory Care Unit, for the past several years. The family would like to thank the Highlands, in particular the Heather Court staff for their care and compassion.

She will always be remembered for her ready smile; and true to Betty's outlook on life, on the day she died when asked how she was doing, she replied simply, "fine and dandy".

Betty is survived by Walt, her loving husband of 67 years, her eight devoted children, Joan Wessman (Robert), James (Cindy), Nancy Hupp (David), Robert (Erin), Jeffrey (Ruth), Steven (Elaine), David (Vicki) and Matthew; and her sister Mary Adams, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson Daniel Bennis and granddaughter Caroline Hupp.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, July 6, at 12 p.m. in Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, West Reading, with a luncheon to follow at The Highlands at Wyomissing. Friends may call Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. The family requests no flowers or contributions be made; they do very much appreciate anyone's thoughts and prayers at this time. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.