Elizabeth "Betty" (Grodzicki) Tarutis

Elizabeth “Betty” Tarutis, 93, of Barnesville passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in the early morning of March 14, 2025, in her daughter’s arms following a year-long battle with dementia.

Born in Nanticoke, she was the daughter of the late Theodore (Thaddeus) and Victoria Frankevicz Grodzicki. Betty was a graduate of Ashley High School, class of 1949. She was happily married to the late Leonard Tarutis on May 7, 1955. She was a dedicated worker of 30 years for the ILGWU garment industry and continued her sewing prowess as the go to seamstress of her family for years. Elizabeth later worked as a secretary in an accounting office for 5 years before retiring to spend time with her family and help raise her grandchildren.

Throughout adulthood, Betty lived an active social life. She greatly enjoyed frequent trips to the bingo hall, where she taught her granddaughters the art of multicard bingo and bring-your-own-dotters. Whenever possible, she loved taking trips to the casino, especially in Atlantic City with her sister, Genie Lehman. Elizabeth loved to stay involved in her community as a member of St. Richard’s Church and a volunteer at the Kirby Center for the Performing Arts for many years.

Betty loved attending any and all events and activities her children and grandchildren participated in, traveling with them to tournaments and vacations for decades. She had an incredible green thumb, frequently tending to her garden until she was physically unable to do so.

In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her loving husband, Leonard Tarutis (June 1978) as well as her sister, Genevieve Lehman (February 2025) and brother Bernard Grodzicki (September 1975).

Elizabeth was a light in every setting she found herself in, turning acquaintances into friends within minutes. Her memory will be carried on by her three children, Lawrence Tarutis, wife Mary Margaret, Ft Myers Fl; Deborah Stevens, husband Russell, Dupont PA; and Patricia Patton, husband John, Barnesville PA; along with her grandchildren: Jonathan Kotula, wife Michelle, Steven Kotula, fiance Natasha, Jessica Gomez, husband J Maxwell, Janine Kreider, husband Joel, and John Patton and her great grandchildren: Ember, Olivia, Roy “Fitz”, Carmen, and two additional babies due. She is also survived by stepbrother, Robert Grodzicki, wife Julie as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, March 17 at Damiano Funeral Home, 24 E Blaine St, McAdoo, PA.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18 at Elizabeth’s home church of St. Richard’s in Barnesville, PA, 799 Barnesville Dr. with interment held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre and the family invites any guests to join them at 1:30 pm, where Betty will be laid to rest alongside her husband, finally reuniting after 47 years apart.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Luke's Miners Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the professional and loving care that they provided over the past year.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Elizabeth’s honor to St. Luke’s Miners Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Activities Department, 360 W Ruddle St. Coaldale, PA 18218.

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