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Betty (Long) Calvert, 99, passed away at the home of her daughter in Lawrenceville, Ga., on
Feb. 3, 2021. She was born in Altoona, daughter of Earl and Mary Etta (Plank) Long, raised in a large and loving family and married "the boy next door," Arthur S. Calvert Jr., July 28, 1946, at the 58th Street Methodist Church, Altoona.
She was preceded in death by Arthur
(1920 - 2005) and a son, Jay Dennis (1947 - 1969) and was the last of her family's generation, being preceded by eight beloved siblings, including five sisters: Mrs. Dorothy Hess, Mrs. Helen Tremmel, Mrs. Richard Brown, Mrs. Mary Baronner Fahr and Mrs. Phyllis Renaud; and three brothers: Donald Long (infant), Mr. David Long and Mr. Clifford Long.
Surviving are daughter, Deborah Calvert, of Lawrenceville, Ga.; son, David Calvert, of Cape May, N.J.; son, Dale Calvert, of Montclair, N.J.; seven grandchildren: Shannon, Jason and Britton Calvert, Christopher and Jennifer Calvert, and Maxwell and Cordelia Calvert; three great-grandchildren: Mackenzie, Marissa and Justin Calvert; and a large extended family of loving nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was a graduate of Altoona High School, and resided in Altoona until 1963, and maintained a connection with the 58th Street Methodist Church, Altoona, her entire life. She was also a past resident of Reedsville, The Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg and Conifer Village at Cape May, N.J.
Betty and her husband were members of the American Cancer Society and worked at raising funds for cancer research after losing a son to lymphoma.
She was an accomplished singer, performing solo and with her sisters in "The Musical Notes" group but favored family over pursuing a promising professional singing career. She was a strong pillar of both the Long and Calvert families, ever-growing in her understanding and acceptance of changing times and lifestyles to support all those she loved.
Having started corresponding with a British pen pal in grade school, she maintained a vibrant correspondence with family and friends within weeks of her passing, evidenced by receiving over 100 cards and letters on the occasion of her 99th birthday.
She will be laid to rest with her husband, son and extended family at Alto-Reste Park cemetery. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial will be planned at a future date. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in memory of Betty Jane Calvert to The American Cancer Society, cancer.org, are appreciated.