Elizabeth Mary Burke Szeghy, 76, of Exeter, passed to Eternal Life on Sunday, December 27, 2020, while in the care of the Hospice of the Sacred Heart and surrounded by her beloved family.
Born and raised in West Pittston, she was the daughter of the late Atty. Thomas F. Burke Sr. and Marita K. Delaney Burke. She attended West Pittston grade school and then high school at Sacred Heart Academy, formerly known as Convent of the Sacred Heart, Philadelphia. She thereafter graduated from Rosemont College and began a career first in elementary education and thereafter in business working in administration for IBM. There she met her husband John S. “Jack” Szeghy in 1968, an encounter that would leave them virtually inseparable until the moment of her passing.
After marrying Jack in 1970, Beth focused her attention on homemaking and motherhood as she and Jack raised their son John T. Szeghy, the first grandchild born to his generation in the Szeghy and Burke families. Beth was tireless in assuring that both son John and husband Jack were faith-filled, charming, dapper and well-prepared for the challenges of the day. She did much the same for her many nieces and nephews, also bringing her considerable teaching skills to bear, especially in the subjects of Mathematics and Latin. Forever the enthusiast at shaping and inspiring young learners, Beth continued tutoring in Mathematics and other subject areas until very recently. Without exception, her students and their parents raved about Beth’s devotion, skill and warmth.
During the past sixteen years, the light of Beth’s life has been the love of her three grandchildren, Jack, Rose and Grace Szeghy born to Beth and Jack’s son John and his wife Tracy. News of their many talents, interests and accomplishments filled Beth and Jack with pride and joy and were the subject of their every conversation. She enjoyed every visit with them and their folks at their Southington, Connecticut home, and especially relished trips to the beach in Avalon, NJ and Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida.
Like her parents whom she revered, the cornerstone of Beth’s way of proceeding was her faith. As members of their parish community of St. Ignatius in Yardley, Pa. for many years and more recently at the Corpus Christi Parish West Pittston, Beth and Jack served as Eucharistic Ministers and participated in countless other church ministries. Beth regarded the opportunity to bring Eucharist and good cheer to anyone homebound especially important and grace-filled.
Beth and Jack celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 17, 2020. In addition to Jack, John and Tracy, Jack, Rose and Grace, Beth is survived by five brothers and sisters, Hon. Thomas F. Burke, Jr. and wife Peggy, West Pittston, Patricia Forr and her husband R. Thomas, Altoona, Kathryn B. Corgan and her husband Michael A., Kingston, Margaret M. Burke, West Pittston, and Atty. Joseph D. Burke and his wife Atty. Kathleen, West Pittston; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Due to COVID restrictions, there will be no calling hours and only immediate family will attend a Mass of Christian Burial and interment. A Celebration of Life Mass will be scheduled at a future date for extended family and friends. Memorial donations may be made to the United Way of Wyoming Valley to benefit its Education support for at-risk youth.
Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston.