Betty-Jane Fissel

Betty-Jane Smith Fissel passed away on December 21, 2022 at her Inwood, WV home with her daughter, Ruth, and long-time caregiver and friend Beth at her bedside. She had recently celebrated her 92nd birthday on December 19th. She was predeceased by her parents, Mervin R. and Ruth F. Gambrill Smith, her maternal aunt Esther, her son Mervin B, and her step-great-grandson Noah C. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Guy W.; her children Guy W. Jr., Ruth E., Robin A. [Cindy], and Jennifer L. [John]; her grandchildren Kristine A. [Dan], Allexandra N. [Andy], Erica R. [Sammy], and Sydney B.; her step-grandchildren Brandi J. [Craig], and Joshua N. [Hazel]; her great-grandchildren Penelope M., Sebastian J., and Matteo R.; her step-great-grandchildren Carson R. and Zachary N., as well as nieces and nephews and their children. Betty-Jane was a State College, PA resident from 1970 until 2021 where she was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. She was a Baltimore, Maryland native, moving later to northern Virginia and, briefly, Bradenton, Florida as a teen. Over the years she also resided in La Lima, Honduras; Laurel, Riverdale, and Bowie, Maryland. After graduating high school, Betty-Jane worked for the Federal Reserve until her marriage. Betty-Jane was a craftswoman with many hobbies. She loved to bake. At Christmas time, the stairs to the attic were lined with cookie tins. There was Stollen bread and cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. For Easter, there was Braided Easter Egg bread. She made some of her clothes as well as Halloween costumes for her children and prom dresses for her daughters. Betty-Jane, along with her mother and aunt, formed a business (REBelware) fulfilling custom orders for ceramics. She leaves behind a trove of knitted, cross-stitched, and embroidered goods. She developed a passion for bird watching and, while camouflaged, she would sit in the garden to watch the bird feeder from up close. Other beloved pastimes included dancing, reading, and playing cards. She served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Brownie Troop leader, and Parent Volunteer to the Girl Scouts, helping them earn their sewing badges. She volunteered at the Park Forest Elementary School library, and with the American Red Cross. In State College, she was a member of the Red Hat Peppers, the ladies auxiliary of the Power Squadron, and the Centre Pieces Quilt Guild. A private memorial service was held in Kearneysville, WV. Interment was at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Easton, MD. Donations may be made to the non-profit Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430 in memory of Betty-Jane.

Betty-Jane Fissel

December 19, 1930 - December 21, 2022