Elizabeth “Betty” E. Murray Bolgiano, 88

June 18, 2017

Elizabeth “Betty” E. Murray Bolgiano peacefully passed on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at St. Anne’s Nursing Home, Columbia, PA at the age of 88. She was born in Port Deposit, MD to Jerome Patrick Murray and Mabelle Thompson Murray. She spent the majority of her childhood living in different areas of the south when her father was employed with the Tennessee Valley Authority. She lived in North Carolina; Hiwassee, Tennessee; and Kentucky.
When the family returned to Port Deposit, Maryland, she attended the Jacob Tome Institute and graduated Valedictorian of her class in 1947. She went on to the University of Maryland, College Park and earned her BS in Physical Education. It was there that she met her future husband, N. Charles Bolgiano. She taught at the Jacob Tome School, Cecil County, MD and in Montgomery County, MD before moving to Pittsburgh, PA and then to Lancaster, PA where she has lived since 1957.
Betty wanted nothing more than to have children and over fourteen years, she happily welcomed eight children into the family. From this point on, she devoted her whole life to the well being of her family. Her husband, the late Nicholas Charles Bolgiano, and her 8 children and 16 grandchildren have always been her greatest joy.
She loved to read and passed that love on to her children. She was very talented in many ways, as a seamstress, typist of countless school papers, “doctor mom,” and in general, a multi-task extraordinaire. She was very modest and not one to call attention to herself. She had an easy laugh and loved to rejoice in the accomplishments of others. She was very generous and would rather sacrifice so that others might enjoy more. Her gifts were often re-gifted when she found someone who she felt would enjoy them more. In life, she was a giver, not a taker. She was patient and kind and the type of mother who let her kids express themselves creatively, make a mess, and learn from their mistakes. There were frog ponds, captured snakes and hamsters with Houdini escapes, art projects, homemade Halloween costumes, a filled silver cookie jar, and countless trips back and forth to Penn State when 6 of her children were students there. She even made trips to England to babysit her grandchildren. She was a rock, faithful friend and a good listener to all, including friends and neighbor, who always knew they could count on her especially for prayers. Betty loved unconditionally and chose to see the best in everyone.
Betty and her husband were Charter Members of St. Leo the Great Church in Rohrerstown. She was a faithful Catholic for all of her life and received much joy from going to mass.
The love of her life, her husband of 64 years, Nicholas Charles Bolgiano, predeceased her 9 months ago. She is survived by the children she adored and who adored her in return: Mary Bolgiano Denton ( David Denton), Jarrettsville, MD; Nicholas C. Bolgiano, Jr ( Elizabeth Manlove), State College, PA; Frances Bolgiano Bidwell (Andy Miller), Ashtead, England; Daniel J. Bolgiano (Laura Chandler Bolgiano), Reisterstown, MD; Barbara Bolgiano, St. Albans, England; Margaret “Peggy” Bolgiano Fischer (Tim Fischer), Sparta, NJ; William Bolgiano, Lancaster, PA; Carolyn Bolgiano Capistrano, Norristown, PA. She was known and loved as “Gammy” to 16 grandchildren who will miss her dearly. She is survived by a sister, Ann Murray Moore (H. Dennis Moore), Upper Marboro, MD and predeceased by sisters, Mary Murray Grafton and Patricia Murray. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends are cordially invited to a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate her entry into eternal life on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 11 am at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 2427 Marietta Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601 with Celebrant, Rev. Peter Hahn. Family will receive visitors from 10 am to 11 am prior to the mass. Interment at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery, Lancaster will follow the mass.
In lieu of flowers, please send, if desired, charitable contributions to: St Leo the Great School, 2427 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601 and Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17604.