Rebecca Betz

Sister Rebecca Betz, OP, the former Regina Betz, 88, died on Friday, February 7, 2014 at Regina Health Center, Richfield, OH. Sister Rebecca was born on January 1, 1926 in Braddock, PA, the only daughter of Peter and Agnes Betz. After graduating from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Braddock in 1943, she worked for Westinghouse Research in Pittsburgh for several years. In 1956 she entered the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron, now the Dominican Sisters of Peace, from St. Brendan Parish, in Braddock and made Religious Profession in 1958. She received her BSE from St. John College, Cleveland in 1963 and also her MSE from there in 1976. Sister Rebecca's teaching career included St. Bernard, St. Hilary, Our Lady of the Elms School, all in Akron; St. Felicitas, Cleveland; St. Agnes, Orrville; SS. Peter & Paul, Doylestown; and Regina Coeli, Alliance. She also was pastoral minister at St. Joseph, Mantua from 1982-84. In 1976, Sister Rebecca was asked to be the congregation's secretary, a position she held for eight years and again from 1984-91. During those years, she also was secretary for several boards connected with the congregation. After attending several workshops, she became congregational archivist until 2008 when she retired. Because of health issues, she retired to Regina Health Center, Richfield, OH in March 2012. Sister Rebecca is survived by sister-in-law, Mildred Betz of Philadelphia and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by brothers, John, Paul, Robert and James. Visitation will take place at Our Lady of the Elms Convent, 1230 W. Market St., Akron on Monday, February 10 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, February 11 at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations in memory of Sister Rebecca may be made to Dominican Sisters of Peace, 2320 Airport Drive, Columbus, OH 43219-2098.