Betty S. Denlinger

Betty Jane (Shirk) Denlinger, 99 yrs 11 months of Lititz, passed away on October 26, 2026, at Brethren Village. Born on Nov 22,1926 in Gap, PA she was the daughter of the late Barton Eby Shirk and Amanda (Kurtz) Shirk.

Betty is survived by her daughters: Beth E. (James) Hunter of Lititz, PA, Barbara A. Denlinger of Lancaster and Bonita J. (John D.) Kushnerick of Media, PA: step Grandson Daniel J. (Daneen) Hunter of Lutz, FL; sister K. Marie Kephart of Lititz, PA. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert C. Denlinger of Paradise, PA, a son Robert C. Denlinger Jr., a brother & sister-in-law Raymond Shirk (Margaret) of Paris, IL, and a brother-in-law Richard Kephart of Lititz.

A 1944 graduate of Paradise High School, she earned her teaching degree from Millersville State Teachers College in 1948. She taught at a one room Millwood School and James Buchanan Elementary, 1948-1950.

A mother of four, she nurtured their interests, which blossomed into lifelong passions and careers. Her hobbies included music/piano, sewing, cooking, vegetable gardening, canning, and cultivating herbs and flowers. She generously shared her passion for gardening with everyone she encountered, recommending new plants, bulbs, collecting seeds, and which greenhouses to visit for finding good deals. She was an avid user of Facebook and frequently commented to anyone on their flower and garden photos. At age 99.9 she was still looking at Facebook and enjoyed discovering new flowers and plants.

A dedicated member of the Heartland Chapter of the Herb Society of America and a past president and lifetime member of the Country Gardeners of Eastern Lancaster County, she established community gardens at Leacock Presbyterian Church and The Amish Farm and House.

As a member of Leacock Presbyterian Church in Paradise, she actively participated in the Handbell Choir, served as a Deacon, and contributed to Sunday School class bake sales and Meals on Wheels for numerous years.

In collaboration with her husband, Robert Denlinger, she served as a local historian and researcher for Paradise Township Historical books, documenting the town’s rich history spanning 300 years. Her passion for history was evident in her interest in the Salisbury Township Historical Society and her ability to recite the order of the American Presidents, knowledge she acquired during her elementary school years. Betty also researched and documented the ancestral history of her family lines from immigration in the 1700s to present day.

Betty enjoyed learning and traveling. She traveled to Ireland, Scotland, Germany and other US and European sites.

A celebration of life service will be held on November 4, 2026, at 11am at Leacock Presbyterian Church in Paradise, with the Reverend Jim Shuler officiating. The family will greet friends immediately following the service to share her 100 years of love.

Private interment will be in Old Leacock Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Kindly consider mailing a contribution in Betty’s memory to Leacock Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 3181 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, PA 19562 or to the Historical Society of Salisbury Township, HSST P.O. Box 173 Gap, PA 17527.