Betty J. Civitarese

Betty Jane Civitarese, 80, of Mohnton, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 28, 2026 surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren.

Betty was born in August 1946, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Nicholas and Antoinette (Meo) Civitarese. She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother, Nicholas V. Civitarese.

For many years, Betty worked as an Executive Assistant at Alvernia University. Betty was, in the words of those who loved her, "a hoot." Witty, quick, and famous for her one-liners and her uncanny ability to hear a whisper from three rooms away. Her daughters will attest that there was no getting anything past her — she insisted on being "in the know," and somehow, she always was.

She especially enjoyed roadside stand tomatoes, winning at designer purse bingo, and a great thrift find. Her sauce and homemade ravioli were the center of family holidays, and her apple pie earned a reputation all its own — by her own proud admission, it was "good even when it was bad."

Betty was a lifelong Catholic and a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church. She had special affinities for St. Francis and St. Teresa, and would seek out vintage rosaries because she liked to pray for everyone who owned them before.

Betty was an incredible mother and Grammy, whose greatest wish was for her children to live happy, fulfilled lives. But she was never only that — she was also a woman with her own dreams of travel and adventure, a discerning appreciation of beautiful things, and more than anything a never-ending comedic streak and irresistible charm.

Betty was the mother of Daniel Stamm (deceased), Lisa Stamm (deceased), Nicole Stamm, and Danielle (Stamm) Saad. She was the beloved Grammy of Brianna Stamm and Layla and Sabrina Saad, and great-grandmother of Malcolm Stone

Whelan Schwartz Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.whelanschwartz.com.