Elizabeth Keith

Elizabeth J. Keith -  January 23, 1927 -  October 19, 2024

Elizabeth was born to Aloysius and Helen Keller in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 23, 1927, the youngest sibling to her brother Paul and sister Ruthe, to whom she was known as “Betty Jane”. 

Betty Jane graduated from Brentwood High School in 1945.  She worked for Peoples Natural Gas Company in Pittsburgh as a secretary and met Joseph “JJ” Koss while golfing.  They were married on December 26, 1957, and had five children, Anne Lutz (Steve), John Koss (Joan), Mary Koss, Paulette Koss and George Koss (Lisa).  To her children, she was a loving and comforting mother who always knew and fostered her children’s needs and interests.

The family moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where Betty earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Youngstown State University in 1972.  Following Elizabeth and JJ’s divorce she met Dennis Keith while participating in Parents Without Partners (PWP).  Betty and Dennis were married on January 29, 1983, and welcomed Dennis’ sons Kevin and Markham into the family.  She taught at Lincoln and West Elementary Schools in Youngstown, retiring after more than 20 years of teaching. 

Betty and Dennis enjoyed their dog and cats, and added several foster cats to their household.  They also enjoyed gardening, traveling to gospel music shows and spending time with grandchildren Libby, Alex, Robert (Katie), Andrew (Taylor), Michael, Nicole and Jennifer.  Elizabeth spent her later years at the Inn at Christine Valley, where the staff fondly knew her as “Liz”.  She enjoyed reading novels, playing bingo, and watching Catholic Mass.  She will be sadly missed by her children and grandchildren. 

The family extends its gratitude to the staff at the Inn at Christine Valley for their loving care for Elizabeth.

Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Betty on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10 to 11am at the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.

A Funeral Service will follow at the funeral home at 11am.

Burial will follow at Green Haven Memorial Gardens.

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