Lackey

Elizabeth "Betty" Lackey, formerly of North Monroe Street, Butler, died at 8:25 p.m. Saturday in Newhaven Assisted Living.

Born March 17, 1916, in Butler, she was the daughter of the late John Henry Buchter and Marie Gruber Buchter.

Mrs. Lackey was a pioneering leader in developmental and career opportunities to advance the lives of mentally handicapped persons. Because of her love for her son, Tommy, and broader concerns for all children with mental challenges, Mrs. Lackey became active with the Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children and was active in leadership of the Butler Chapter of PARC.

In 1956, her efforts led to the opening of the first sheltered workshop on Cunningham Street, and over the years, the workshop occupied several locations. In 1967, through the efforts of Mrs. Lackey and others, the workshop was awarded permanent space in the former Butler Post Office, a facility that is home today to the sheltered workshop.

In 1966, Mrs. Lackey was elected secretary of the Pennsylvania Association of Retarded Children, a position she held for two terms.

She and her husband, Don Lackey, were married in 1955, and both held leadership positions in the Butler chapter of PARC for more than 10 years beginning in 1967.

Elizabeth was an avid golfer, swimmer and bridge player, an activity she continued until recently.

Mrs. Lackey is survived by her daughter, Linda Lackey and her husband, Christopher Umble, of Gibsonia; two nieces, Nancy Hanks Burnett of Wilmington, N.C., and Elizabeth Buchter Bernhardt of Palo Alto, Calif.; two nephews, John Buchter of Savannah, Ga., and Denning Buchter of Whiteville, N.C.; and a sister-in-law, Mary Ann Buchter of Wilmington, N.C. She also is survived by a great-niece, Kristen Bonnet; and three great-nephews, Kevin Buchter, Michael Buchter and John Karl Buchter.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lackey was preceded in death by her husband, Donald C. Lackey, in 1995; her son, Thomas Seaburn; a sister, Ann Buchter Hanks; and two brothers, Thomas Buchter and Henry F.C. Buchter.

<B>LACKEY </B>— Friends of Elizabeth "Betty" Lackey, who died Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, will be received from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the <B>Thompson-Miller Funeral Home</B>, 124 E. North St., Butler. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church with Father James W. Dolan officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Peter Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens (PARC) Butler Chapter, 100 N. Washington St., Butler, PA 16001.Information and a private guest book are available at www.thompson-miller.com.