Elizabeth A. “Betty” Koleno, 87, of Clarence and most recently a resident of Colonial Courtyard of Clearfield was welcomed into Heaven on Monday, July 1, 2024. Born on October 23, 1936, in Clarence, she was the daughter of the late Stephen M. and Anna M. (Ciprich) Surovec. On April 30, 1960, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Clarence, she married the love of her life, Peter G. Koleno, Sr., who passed away on November 24, 1991.
Betty was a 1954 graduate of Snow Shoe High School, where she was the Salutatorian of her class. She was a member of the Queen of Archangels Parish Church in Clarence, where she was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society and an officer of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association.
Betty served as Judge of Elections for Snow Shoe Township for over 50 years. She worked at the Hosiery Mill in Clarence for a short time before she and Peter began their family. That is when she began the career that she was born to be a stay-at-home mom.
She was also a babysitter for her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other children in the community.
She was devoted to her faith and her family. When her children were younger, she was always volunteering at the school. She and Peter also never missed a sporting event for their children, and she continued that tradition for her children and grandchildren after Peter’s death. She was also a faithful attendee of the Peter Koleno Memorial Baseball Tournament.
To everyone who knew her, she was known as Mee Maw. Her vehicles were often referred to as “Mee Maw’s Taxi” because she was always willing to give family and friends a ride, whether it be to church, shopping, work, doctor appointments, or wherever else someone needed to go.
Betty was an avid Notre Dame fan. She also played as a catcher for the Clarence Women’s Softball Team until the birth of her sixth child.
Betty is survived by her six children: Randall P. Koleno and his wife, Christine, of Morrisdale, Brian J. Koleno and his wife, Sharlene, of Mechanicsburg, Peter G. Koleno, Jr., of Clearfield, Joseph S. Koleno and his wife, Michele, of Morrisdale, Rebecca Magnuson and her husband, David, of Clearfield, and Chad M. Koleno and his wife, Allison, of Morrisdale; 13 grandchildren: Justin Koleno (Mariah), Jeffrey Koleno (Allison), Benjamin Koleno, Jarod Koleno, Olivia Koleno, David Magnuson, Jr. Peter Magnuson, Owen Koleno, Isabella Koleno, Richard Miller, Jr. (Jennifer) Nicole Miller, Josh Miller (Amanda), and Kayla Jones (Sheldon), eight great grandchildren: Addisyn, Harrison, Ellisyn, Alexis, Kiah, Alexander, Aubrey, and Jordan.
She is also survived by eight brothers; and sisters: Stephen Surovec (Janet) of Ohio, George Surovec of Ohio, Patricia Surovec of Clarence, James Surovec (Christine) of Pleasant Gap, Mary Jane Hall (Randy) of Snow Shoe, Robert Surovec (Constance) of Clarence, Dennis Surovec (Denise) of Snow Shoe, and Ronald Surovec (Christine) of Snow Shoe, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
Along with her parents and husband, Betty was preceded in death by two daughters, Laverne Koleno and Lorraine Miller; one son, Peter S. Koleno; one grandson, Daniel P. Miller; a son-in-law, Richard Miller, Sr, and a sister, Anna Mae Zetts.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 9-11 a.m. at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, 106 W. Sycamore St. Snow Shoe. Funeral Mass will follow the visitation at 11:30 a.m. at the Queen of Archangels Parish Church in Clarence, with Father Brian Saylor officiating. Betty will be laid to rest beside her husband, Peter, at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Clarence.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Altar & Rosary Society, C/O Queen of Archangels Parish, 102 Church St. Clarence, PA 16829.
Betty’s family would like to give a huge THANK YOU to the staff at Colonial Courtyard and to Hospice 365 for the excellent care their mother received and for the love and support they have received over the past couple of years. Even the littlest things did not go unnoticed.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc. in Snow Shoe. An online guest book can be signed, or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.