Elizabeth Spencer's Obituary
Elizabeth Spencer, age 84, of Pleasant Hills, PA, passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2025 surrounded by her family. Born Elizabeth Horn, and affectionately known to many as Betsy, she was a beloved wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, neighbor and friend.
Betsy was the devoted wife of Duane Spencer, whom she affectionately called Spence, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and companionship for over 57 years. Along with her husband, she leaves behind her children, Jeff Spencer (Ann) of Downingtown, PA, and Becky Weber (Jim) of Upper St. Clair, PA, as well as her granddaughters, Katie, Abby, and Maddie Weber. She was the daughter of the late William and Marjorie Horn, also of Pleasant Hills and she is also survived by her sister, Sally Palmer (the late Werner) of Jupiter, FL, and brother, Bob Horn (Kay) of North Strabane, PA, as well as nieces and nephews.
A graduate of Clairton High School, Betsy went on to earn her degree from Penn State University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and attained her teaching certificate in English and mathematics. After college, she met Spence in Pittsburgh, and they married on July 1, 1967. She began her career as an English teacher, first at Baldwin High School and later at McDowell Senior High School in Erie, PA before deciding to move back to Pittsburgh to establish her home in Pleasant Hills, where she would live happily for nearly 58 years.
After taking time off to raise her children while they were young, Betsy went back to work and became a familiar presence in the community as a staff member of the Pleasant Hills Public Library. For over twenty years, she greeted everyone at the front desk with her friendly demeanor and helpful spirit and could help anyone find a good book.
Known as Granny to her three granddaughters, she doted on them and spent many days taking them on adventures, with ice cream often as a treat at the end of the outing.
Betsy was also an exceptionally talented cross-stitch artist, creating beautiful works that have now become cherished family heirlooms. Her interests also included things such as playing bridge with her various bridge clubs and collecting Hallmark ornaments, even joining the local Hallmark Collector's club, where as club secretary she would write the monthly newsletter.
For many years, she proudly held the title of commissioner of the Spencer Family NFL football pool, expertly posting weekly results and tracking the leaderboard, keeping the competition fierce for all who participated. Her family will also fondly remember that she was often the mastermind, host and cook of many family Thanksgiving celebrations at the home she loved.
Betsy and Spence had their favorite pew to sit in at the weekly services the Pleasant Hills Church which they attended regularly for many years.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Pleasant Hills Church on August 16 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pleasant Hills Public Library (pleasanthillslibrary.org)
Betsy's legacy of kindness, family focus and community engagement will live on in the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
Online condolences may be left at www.jeffersonmemorial.com
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