Elizabeth "Betty" M. Korpics

Elizabeth "Betty" M. (Lawrence) Korpics, 94, died early Friday morning, October 6, 2017, at the Palmerton Hospital.  She was the wife of the late John E. Korpics, who preceded her in death on July 19, 2014.  They were wed on September 27, 1941, and remained faithfully together for seventy-three years.  Born in Palmerton, Betty was the daughter of the late Alexander J. and Suzanna M. Lawrence.

Elizabeth M. Lawrence was born on January 25, 1923, the first of two girls born to parents who emigrated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  Betty was employed as a seamstress for Scotty's Fashions, retiring in 1986.  She was a most devout member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palmerton, where she contributed fifty years as the Lead Organist and provided direction to the official church choir from its inception, with Mr. Jack DeSousa as director.  She embraced her Catholic faith with enthusiasm and encouraged her family and others accordingly.  Her strong beliefs and family devotion were unshakeable throughout her life.

Betty was very family-oriented, hard-working, ethical, and enjoyed life to its fullest.  She was an avid bowler in her early days and pretty good as evidenced by her many trophies.  During her Palmerton High School days, Betty played piano, sang, and danced in all of the Operetta presentations.  She was an accomplished piano and organ teacher who gave lessons on occasion.  Her love for music lasted her entire life.  She married her high school sweetheart, and in 1944, Patricia Susan Marie (Patsy) was born into a loving household.

Soon afterwards, a cabin was built along the Pohopoco Creek at Preachers' Camp and Betty helped design and actively work on the outstanding fireplaces and stonework.  This became the summer home where, after work, the Korpics family and friends enjoyed swimming, fishing, and outdoor cooking.  Betty enjoyed many years of her convertible cars, and when her husband introduced her to motorcycles, there was no doubt that she would join him buzzing along on the then-rural roads.  Betty was also an avid dancer, and every Saturday night would dance the night with her favorite partner at the Ukrainian Club in Bethlehem, or the Pocono's Stoney Ridge Inn.  Betty and John were great dancers and when dressed on Saturday night, were a match for Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers; John in his sport coat and Betty in her heels, tripping the light fantastic.

Betty also loved pets, most notable the family dog.  There were about five from the time she could remember until she retired...all were named Pepper.  Sometime while all of this was going on, a few acres were purchased, which were known to all as the Korpics Farm. This was where outstanding fruit and vegetable crops were grown, eaten, canned, or given to family and friends.  The quality was remarkable and old world techniques that avoided the over-use of pesticides were employed.  Among her other talents, Betty was an outstanding student of the culinary arts.  Her cooking and baking abilities were extraordinary, and she could have taken place among the best of chefs.  The Korpics family was inseperable, played and prayed together, and Betty couldn't look prouder as when Patsy married in 1964.  Soon after, three grandchildren joined the family and they intimately knew and enjoyed their grandparents.

Betty enjoyed many family parties and scholastic events, but none were as fulfilling or emotional as when grandchildren, Susan, Jon, and Helen graduated from college.  She was very proud of their marital and scholastic successes and deeply loved the four great-grandchildren who were subsequently born.  Betty's life was very busy, but she still found time to entertain at Adult Day Care and various local nursing homes.  Her favorite memories were when she and Lily Edwards played dueling pianos and sang with the elderly.  She continued regularly on a weekly basis for many years until the pain of arthritis in her hands became intolerable.  She was a true caregiver for all who came to her in need.

More recently, Betty loved her cats who were named Ritchie and Charlie.  These were the names given by the Animal Rescue Home which coincidentally happen to be the names of Betty's two favorite brother-in-laws.  Betty lived an exemplary life as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She loved and was loved.  She will always live on in our memories and we are blessed to have had her enter our lives.  She left this earth dignified and peaceful, with her family by her side.  There is no doubt she continues to look after us from heaven.

Survivors: Daughter, Patricia S. wife of Frank Ukropec of Wallingford, Delaware County.  Three grandchildren; Susan, Jon, and Helen.  Four great-grandchildren.  Several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy Horlacher.

Services: Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 243 Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton, PA 18071.  Call, 10:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday, in the church.  Interment will follow at the Parish's New Cemetery, Stoney Ridge Road, Palmerton.  Arrangements are by Campton Funeral Home, Inc., 525 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton.  Online Condolences: www.schislerfuneralhomes.com

Contributions: May be made in her memory to: Palmerton Ambulance, 501 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, PA 18071, or, Palmerton Meals on Wheels, 135 Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton, or, Carbon County Friends of Animals, 77 W. 13th Street, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.