<::taps::> Elizabeth Ann "Betty" (Dwyer) Widmar, drummer, Technical HS D&BC (Scranton, PA)
Catherine
with her beloved family surrounding her.
Betty was born in Scranton, PA to Joseph E. Dwyer and Catherine Gillespie Dwyer.
She was a graduate of Scranton's Technical High School where she was a drummer in the
Drum and Bugle Corps.
During World War II, Betty became a Secretary for the Elk's Lodge where she was
responsible for booking many of the famous "Big Band" groups for USO shows.
She spent 14 years as a Secretary for the Tulsa Women's Bowling Association and for a
time was a co-owner of Cedar Lanes Bowling Center.
Betty and her husband, Al, a professional baseball player, were both great sports
fans and participants. Together they enjoyed an extraordinary marriage that included
extensive travel, wonderful family and friends, and great athletic accomplishments.
Betty's lifelong interest in sports began when she played basketball with the Eastern
Pennsylvania Bucktown champions. She enjoyed golfing and was one of the state's top
female bowlers. Betty had the distinction of rolling one of the first 300 games and
700 series for women. She bowled in 45 consecutive WIBC National Tournaments, while
also serving as a State Delegate to the WIBC National conventions. Those
accomplishments, as well as her 14 years of service as Secretary of the Tulsa Women's
Bowling Association, and membership on the TWBA's board of directors earned her a
spot in both the Tulsa and Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame.
Betty had a great sense of humor, a kind and generous spirit, and great loyalty.
Al preceded Betty in death on October 15, 2005. They would have celebrated 60 years
of marriage on November 10, 2005.
Betty was also predeceased by: her parents; her brother, Jack Dwyer; and her sister,
Mrs. William F. (Marion) O'Brien, both of Scranton, PA; and her grandson, Benjamin
Pike. She is loved and will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. She is
survived by: her daughter, JoAnn and husband, John of Broken Arrow; sons, Tom Widmar
of Coweta, Michael Widmar and wife, Debbie of Oklahoma City; grandchildren, Jennifer
Zahornacky and husband, Michael, and Katie Pike of Waltham, MA and Katie's fiance,
Michael Flaherty of Brighton, MA, Joseph and Arthur Widmar of Boise, ID, Brandon
Widmar of Sapulpa, and Alan Widmar of Oklahoma City; her sister, Mrs. Robert
(Catherine) McLaine of Dunmore, PA. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Mary
Ann (Paul) Shuss, Margaret Widmar (Robert) Scarr, and Isabell Widmar; and dear family
friend, Martha Lou Parker.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Catholic Charities. Rosary, 7 p.m.,
Friday, January 6, 2006 at Floral Haven Chapel, Broken Arrow, OK. Funeral Mass, 10
a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2006 at Church of the Madalene, Tulsa, OK. Floral Haven,
252-2518.
Published on 1/6/2006.