Elizabeth "Betty" L. Mecca

Elizabeth Louise Jenkins Mecca (known by most as "Betty" or "Betty Lou"),84, S. Abington Twp., slipped away peacefully this past Sunday and returned to the arms of her loving husband of 52 years, Dominick Angelo Mecca, who passed in 2004.

Born in Scranton, Betty was the daughter of the late William and Ethel (Jones) Jenkins. She was a proud graduate of West Scranton High School.  Once married, Betty worked in numerous occupations ranging from telephone operator to real estate agent to the owner of a wonderful little craft shop called Colony House in Manchester Township, NJ.   She and her husband ran the business together and eventually retired so they could relax and enjoy life with their friends, children and, most importantly, their grandchildren (whom they proceeded to spoil with reckless abandon!)

Betty was fiesty, funny and smart.  She always knew the best way to do everything and wouldn't hesitate to enlighten you, given the opportunity.  But she did so out of love and a desire to help and, much of the time, darnit, she was right!  Everyone that truly knew her seemed to come to the same conclusion; Betty was "tough" and "spunky" and that toughness is a big part of why her family was lucky enough to have her for as long as they did.  But Betty was more than tough.  She was also one of the most loving, generous and soft-hearted people you would ever find.  She spent most of her 84 years putting everyone's needs ahead of her own and she loved her husband, her kids and her grandkids more than life itself, warts and all.  Their joys were her joys and their pain was her pain.  Her spunk, her generous spirit, her laugh and her words of comfort will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to everyone that helped to care for Betty through these last, most difficult years, including the many nurses and aides and other professionals that gave her care and comfort.  Special thanks are given to Betty's niece, Mary Beth Mecca, who was an amazing blessing during a recent hospitalization; Martha Keating, whose kindness, dedication and willingness to do just about anything to help earned her a special place in Betty's heart (and her children's hearts as well), and Sue Kneiss, who worked night and day during Betty's last weeks, bringing her comfort, companionship and more than a few laughs right until the end.

Surviving are a son William Mecca, Browns Mills, NJ., a daughter Lori Jewett and husband William Jewett Jr., Clarks Summit, grandchildren Ian and Hayley Jewett, Elizabeth, Katherine, Meghan, and Christopher Mecca, and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at noon from the Clarks Green United Methodist Church, 119 Glenburn Rd . Interment will take place Monday at 1:00 pm at Brigardier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ 08562 .

Friends may call Saturday from 10am to 11:30 at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc. 418 S. State St. Clarks Summit .

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Toys for Tots, the Marine Corp League or any heart, diabetes or leukemia related charities.