Obituary of Elizabeth Marie Milligan

Betsy Milligan passed away September 14, 2021.Elizabeth Marie Schweiger Milligan, Betsy to all who knew her, was born May 3, 1940 in Beaver Falls, PA, the daughter of George Andrew and Elizabeth (Litzinger) Schweiger. She attended Catholic School in Pittsburgh, PA and Mount Mercy College. She was a longtime member of Holy Family Catholic Church.Betsy loved many things, first and foremost God and her family. Her love for her husband, Joe, was evident in the blessing of their 61 years of marriage. She cared for her siblings, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Betsy had a way of making everyone feel special. She rarely forgot a birthday and always remembered names. Several years ago, Betsy was in the hospital after having been hit by a car and she wrote a thank you note to the hospital staff. In that card, Betsy addressed everyone who cared for her by name.One of Betsy’s greatest pleasures was serving others. She especially loved cooking and baking, so much that in some places her name was synonymous with the words “Lemon Squares”. Betsy knew everyone’s favorites and did her best to make sure everyone had what they liked — the neighbors, her kids, grandkids, her massage therapist, her spiritual advisor, you name it. Recently her physical therapist said to Betsy’s daughter, “I don’t want your mom to stop coming. Then she will stop bringing me food!”Betsy had an affinity for walking, she walked three to four miles a day almost every morning for the at least the last 30 years. Each morning she would get up, do her exercises, and then head out to walk. While walking, Betsy took the time to get to know people she passed. Her family came to know about fellow walkers, John, Hank, and even Todd, the maintenance guy at the park.Sewing was another one of Betsy’s greatest passions. She made baptismal gowns for her grandchildren, Baptism garments for their Holy Family community, Halloween costumes, wedding and bridesmaid dresses, maternity clothes, seasonal vests for her grandsons, and dresses upon dresses upon dresses for her granddaughters.Betsy blessed the lives of others every day in many ways both large and small. Her presence in this world will truly be missed a great deal by family and friends alike.Betsy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gerard W. Schweiger.She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Joseph Edward Milligan Jr.; children, Joseph E. Milligan III (Linda); Louise M. Trotter (Chris), Kristen M. Wood (Randy), Maria M. Spoolstra (Scott); grandchildren, Sean Michael, Luke, Cassidy and Leah Milligan, Colleen (Phillip Dyson), David, Matthew (Lana) and Patrick Trotter; Riley, Spencer, Connor and Brady Wood; Jason (Rebecca), Charles (Samantha) Spoolstra; great grandchildren, Clare, Catherine, Elizabeth and Eleanor Spoolstra; Henry and Emmy Dyson and Margo arriving in December; brother, sisters and sisters-in-law, James J. Schweiger (Dorothy), George Ann Paladino, Karin Maniet (Lou), Cathy Schweiger, Judith Milligan, Mary Louise Valecko and Sarah Milligan.