Obituary of Elizabeth M. Hollenbeck

Elizabeth (Betty) Heath Hollenbeck passed away on November 29, 2023 to join Jerry, her devoted husband of 55 years. She also joined her beloved mother Madeline (Carns) Heath, brothers John and Francis, great-granddaughter Faye, and other deceased members of her extended family. She is survived by her four sons Pat and Margaret McLallen of Cambridge, MA, Mike and Lee Ellen of Binghamton, NY, Tom and Priscilla of Reading, MA, and John and Kate Schroeder of Montreal, Canada, her much loved grandchildren Lisa, Matt (Sara), Madeline, Jack, and Luke and great-granddaughter Louise. She is also survived by her sister and best friend Kathleen Luberecki, sister in-law Jackie Heath and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Betty was proud of her sons and their families. She had many names - Betty, Sister, Bessie, Bess, but the names she loved most were Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma. Her devotion to her family was boundless. Nothing made her happier than detailed updates about her family to ensure all was well. Her worry for the well-being of her family was second only to her unconditional love for them. She often ended phone calls with "I love you, stay healthy, have fun while you are young, it is what it is, and watch out for the other guy." Betty will be remembered by so many as she made a lasting impression on everyone she met. She loved people and had an uncanny ability to remember many details of their lives. Friends, family and acquaintances would marvel at the memories she could recall. Those detailed memories served as an example of her selfless and compassionate nature and her keen interest in the well-being of others. Her hallmark sense of humor and sharp wit guaranteed you would leave a visit with a smile on your face. Betty was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas for over fifty years. She had deep faith and was renowned for her prayer list that numbered many pages. She prayed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Jude, St. Joseph, Padre Pio, St. Theresa, and most of all to St. Anthony because she was always losing things! She treasured her friendships and family relationships. She was especially grateful for her close bond with her sister Kathleen, her nephew Tim Luberecki, her cousin Madeline Lessler, and her good friend Georgia Baker Ondrejko. Betty's family would like to express their deep gratitude to Sister Hermie from St. Thomas Aquinas for her friendship and devotion to Betty and the entire Hollenbeck family. What started out as weekly Sunday visits when Betty could no longer attend Mass, blossomed into a loving and close friendship. "Mama Betty" considered Sister Hermie as family and was thankful for the blessing of her love and friendship. The family would also like to thank the staff and residents at Walden Place, Cortland, NY and Mercy House for their care and kindness during her stay there. It was her wish to donate her body to Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY. A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in Betty's honor may be made to either Mercy House (212 N McKinley Ave, Endicott, NY 13760) or Danielle House (160 Riverside Drive, Binghamton, NY 13905).