Betty Jane 'Babe' Tizio of 778 Richmond Drive, Hermitage, passed away peacefully at 11:15 p.m. Monday (7-5-10) in her residence with her loving family at her side, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 78.

She fought her illness, which she won once, and lived cancer free for more than a year, never letting her illness slow her down. She was an inspiration to all and will be sadly missed by many.

Mrs. Tizio was born April 9, 1932, in Farrell, a daughter of Andrew Denis Sr. and Mary Koshar Denis. She graduated from the former St. Ann Elementary School in Farrell and was a 1950 graduate of Farrell High School.

In the 1950s, she worked for what is now Sharon Regional Health System, in the emergency room, and was one of the first emergency room nursing aides to be hired.

As a devout Catholic, she was a longtime active member of St. Ann Church, Farrell, where she enjoyed teaching CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) in past years and assisted in cleaning the church. She was a faithful servant to God and prayed the Holy Rosary daily; she will be remembered by those who knew her as a beautiful person, both inside and out. She was an adopted second mother to her children's close friends and opened both her heart and home to many. She enjoyed keeping her house spotless and was a fantastic cook; holiday meals will never be the same.

Her husband, John 'Jay' A. Tizio, whom she married Oct. 10, 1953, in St. Ann Church, survives at their residence.

In addition to her husband, she also leaves: her two daughters, Cynthia 'Cyn' Reichenbacher and her husband Adolf, Hermitage; and Tresa Templeton, Sharon; her son, Philip Tizio and his wife Gina; and Babe's three grandchildren, Alisa, Philip and Geno Tizio, all Hermitage; and her granddog, Chloe. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren, all for whom she played an important part in making them the people they are today. She is also survived by her two sisters, Eleanor Maffei, New Hope, Pa.; and Dorothy Viselli, Burlington N.J.

Mrs. Tizio was preceded in death by her 'son'-in-law, Perry R. Templeton; her parents; her two sisters, Maryann Zikmund and Delores Goda; and her brother, Andrew Denis Jr.

The family would like to thank Dr. George C. Garrow and Dr. Dennis Ulewicz and all the caring staff at Sharon Regional Cancer Care Center and Hospice and Palliative Care Center for their compassion during her illness and treatment.

They would also like to thank the Rev. Donald E. Berdis for his weekly home visits she looked forward to.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all memorial contributions be made in her memory to the Perry R. Templeton Memorial Fund through Keystone Blind Association, 1230 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon, PA 16146; or Sharon Regional Hospice and Palliative Care, 2320 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148; or Our Lady of Fatima Church, 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, PA 16121.

Calling hours: In keeping with her wishes, calling hours will be private. Friends may send condolences by visiting the website at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Service: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday (7-8-10) in Our Lady of Fatima- St. Ann Church, 601 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant. The family asks that everyone go directly to the church Thursday morning.

Entombment: St. Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, Hermitage. Arrangements by J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.