Betty (Christensen) Jolly

Betty (Christensen) Jolly

Age 87, of O'Hara Twp., passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at The Willows in Oakmont.  Betty is the eldest child of the late Olaf and Else Christensen.  She was born on June 9, 1930 in Orange, NJ, and lived in Maplewood and Clifton, NJ.  She graduated from Russell Sage College in 1952.  Shortly after graduation she married Thomas D. Jolly.  They were separated during their first year of marriage while Tom served as a combat engineer in the Korean War.  When he returned they moved to Massena, NY.  Their son, Thomas Alan, and their first daughter, Susan Elizabeth were born there.  They next moved to New Kensington, PA, where Lynn Ellen was born.  After additional moves with ALCOA to Evansville, IN, and Maryville, TN, their family moved to O'Hara Township where they have resided since 1972.  As a result of time spent in these various locations, Betty leaves many friends not only in Pittsburgh but in communities around the country.  In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Betty had a leadership role in many civic activities. While in Massena, Betty organized the initial nursery school at the Congregational Church.  In Tennessee she was president of the Newcomer's Club.  In Pittsburgh, she has been president of her PEO chapter, a Girl Scout leader as well as vice president of their Board in Allegheny County.  She and a friend also worked tirelessly to organize a state wide organization called ORA (Organization to Reform Act 195).  Their efforts made a significant contribution to the legislation which ultimately led to the reduction in school closures due to teacher strikes in Pennsylvania.  Betty's principle hobbies were cooking, bridge, and reading.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Allan.  She is survived by a brother Lee (Doree) Christensen, her husband, Thomas D. Jolly, her son Thomas Alan (Jessica) Jolly of Hillsdale, NJ, two daughters, Susan (Dan) Wilhoit of Aspinwall, and Lynn (Bill) Seybolt of Atlanta as well as 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.  No Visitation.  A memorial service to celebrate Betty's life will be held Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 11 A.M. at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Road.  The Jolly family would like to extend their grateful thanks to the caring staff at The Willows as well as the support from her friends and the Presbyterian community.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Betty Jolly Scholarship at the Association for Women in Sports Media, 1520 Sherwood Forest St. #319 Houston, TX 77043 or the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, 384 Fox Chapel Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15238.

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