Tolbert

Margaret “Betty” Elizabeth Schroeder Tolbert, 95, born in Rochester, Pa., on Aug. 3, 1928, passed away peacefully on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, at Sherwood Oaks retirement community, joining her parents George H. and Grace E. Schroeder, and her husband and best friend, James (Jim) Samuel Tolbert.

Betty is survived by her children, James “Jamie” Samuel Tolbert Jr. and daughter-in-law, Sharon, of Meadville, Marlis Hanson and son-in-law, Scott, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Amy Tolbert of Minneapolis, Minn. Her true pride and joy were her grandchildren and one great-grandson, James “Jim” Samuel Tolbert III and granddaughter-in-law, Ashley, great-grandson, Charles (Charlie), Matthew Stewart Tolbert and granddaughter-in-law, Linnea, Miranda Elizabeth and Rayna May Hanson, and Alexis Grace and Alyssa Florenz Parra. Betty is also survived by nieces and nephews, all dearly loved. Betty had many longtime friends from Beaver County and New Sewickley Township, where she spent most of her life, and friends from Cranberry Township, when she and Jim moved to Sherwood Oaks retirement community in 2004.

Betty graduated from Rochester High School in 1946, and met her lifelong love, Jim, right after his return from serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, at a dance. They married in 1947, and were blessed with 62 years of marriage prior to his passing in December 2009.

Betty enjoyed working at the Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania for 38 years, training switchboard operators at large companies. In 1984, Betty began her own training and development firm, MST Associates, and received a degree in human resource management from Point Park College in 1986. Betty designed and conducted personal and professional development training sessions which she presented within companies, colleges and nonprofit organizations throughout Western Pennsylvania, helping others learn to present themselves at their best and live their best lives. In retirement, she presented sessions on cruise ships, which allowed her to continue helping others while traveling with her husband at the same time.

Betty had a great love for theater, supporting and participating in the Red Barn Theater and Comtra Theater, among others, for decades. Betty was a lifelong member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rochester, Pa., and also enjoyed Hope Lutheran Church while living in Cranberry Township. Living at Sherwood Oaks retirement community was a pleasure, where she appreciated new friendships, entertaining get-togethers, and fulfilling activities and outings. She received the best care during her years in skilled nursing and truly loved all of her caretakers, who loved her back.

Betty and her husband Jim knew how to enjoy life, spending winters for about 20 years during their retirement in Florida, and taking trips throughout the world. For their entire marriage, Betty and Jim spent summer weekends at their family vacation home in Conneaut Lake, Pa., and in retirement, Betty dedicated volunteer time for the Preservation Society of Conneaut Lake Park. One volunteer said, “Even more than the bands and beers and good times I've enjoyed there, the one thing I will remember most is Betty's enthusiastic voice echoing through the Beach Club as she thanked and encouraged us at every volunteer weekend.”

Service to others was her strongest passion, providing community service throughout years of active involvement in Women’s Club of Beaver Valley, General Federation of Women’s Clubs Pennsylvania, Women’s Business Network, American Society of Training and Development, Point Park College Women’s Center and New Sewickley Kiwanis. She acted as a mentor to other women and a supporter of community causes, and received great pleasure in helping others. Betty’s wish was that, while grieving her loss, you find a way to comfort other hearts by doing something nice for a stranger, neighbor or friend. There, you will find her comforting you.

Most importantly, Betty was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her boundless energy, passionate dedication to serving others, enthusiastic attitude toward life and good times, and love for her husband, family and friends will be remembered by those who knew her.

TOLBERT — A private funeral and committal service for Margaret “Betty” Elizabeth Schroeder Tolbert, who died Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, will be held at WILLIAM MURPHY FUNERAL HOME in Rochester, Pa.

All family, friends and acquaintances are welcome to attend a celebration of life memorial service at noon Dec. 16, 2023, at Hope Lutheran Church, 8070 Rowan Road, Cranberry Township. A luncheon will follow at the church. You are encouraged to bring a memory about Betty to share at this celebration.

The family encourages gifts in Betty’s memory be given to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 393 Adams St., Rochester, PA 15074, Hope Lutheran Church, 8070 Rowan Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, or the Recreation Therapy Department at Sherwood Oaks, 100 Norman Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, that kept Betty active and happy, with activities of the day she had looked forward to for many years.

For more information, please visit www.williammurphyfuneralhomeinc.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.