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A truly elegant and graceful lady, Betsy Thomas, 78, of Sewickley, was deeply devoted to her family, friends, community and faith. She touched countless hearts with the warmth of her smile and her brilliant blue eyes, leaving a legacy of kindness, connection and joy.
Born and raised in Patton, Besty was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Kozickie) Hudak. She grew up alongside her siblings, Patricia Fulmer and Butch Hudak, and attended Cambria Heights High School (Class of 1966).
She married her high school sweetheart, Andrew Senko, later divorced in the tumult of the '70s and earned her PhD in Motherhood, independently raising her three children: Sandy, Cherie and Scott, whom she loved with unwavering dedication.
Betsy's true gift was the art of human connection. She saw the beauty in everyone and expressed her love through simple, meaningful gestures, dutifully calling to check in on her children and grandchildren, remembering special occasions, mailing care packages, making sure to connect with friends for weekly games of Mahjong or lunch, volunteering at the Presbyterian Church and regularly calling or sending the most thoughtful notes and cards to keep in touch. She always took the time to let people know how much she cared, loved and genuinely appreciated them.
Her generous and hopeful spirit was deeply rooted in her faith, and she held others close in daily prayer, asking for comfort, strength and blessings in their lives. She understood that personal joy and the impact of community is often found in making time, no matter how crazy life can be, for meaningful bonds and shared experiences with others. She was that person on a plane who could soften an otherwise reluctant passenger sitting next to her, quickly move beyond pleasantries and find meaningful common ground. Upon her destination airport arrival, she'd greet us with excitement, eager to share the life story of the fascinating person she had just met on her flight.
Betsy will be missed dearly and lovingly remembered by her children: Sandy Arkell, Cherie Thomas and Scott Senko; their partners: Christopher Arkell, Dave Cosgrove and Dina Senko; grandchildren: Johnathan Arkell, Kimberly (Chappell) Handel, Dylan Mathieson and Garrett Senko; great-grandchildren, Caydence and Jake Mallin; her sister, Patricia Fulmer and her husband, Eric Fulmer; Betsy's brother, Butch Hudak and his wife, Ann Hudak; and the many extended relatives and friends whose lives she warmly and unforgettably touched. Her life reminds us that the simplest gestures can have the most generous impact, and that making a genuine connection with another person is one of the most unforgettable ways to spread joy.
A celebration of Betsy's life and memory will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, at Sewickley Presbyterian Church, 414 Grant St., Sewickley, with a reception to follow in the Robinson Room at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to Sewickley Presbyterian Church; or the American Heart Association.