Betty Lou Nelson, age 97, formerly of New Castle, passed away the night of May 24, 2023, at Masternick Skilled Nursing in New Middletown, Ohio.

Born May 17, 1926, in New Castle, she was the daughter of James W. and Sarah Jane (Jones) McCann.

She was preceded in death on July 9, 2003, by her beloved husband of 54 years, Ronald L. Nelson, whom she married August 2, 1948.

A graduate of New Castle High School, Betty gained employment as a secretary for Shenango China and later the School of Nursing at St. Francis Hospital.

Among her many interests, she enjoyed playing cards and frequenting the casino. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her oatmeal cookies and pies were legendary. If a guest dropped in, on any given day, they were usually welcomed with a fresh cup of coffee and a piece of pie. She loved collecting bunnies.

Betty enjoyed traveling to visit family. She always had a story to tell about her last trip, her grand- and great-grandchildren's activities, and when she was going to visit again. She would share detailed stories about her great-grandchildren's activities well into her 90s. She treated her grandchildren's spouses like her own grandchildren and children's spouses like her own sons and daughters. She remarked many times how lucky she was to have Ed, Jack, and Kathie for sons- and daughter-in-law.

She also enjoyed playing cards and visiting casinos. She taught three generations of family members to play card games and, more significantly, the importance of sitting together at a table with family. She enjoyed day trips to Mountaineer with her son and daughters, bus trips to casinos with friends and family, and her trips to Atlantic City, Dover Downs, and, of course, Las Vegas — as long as younger generations did not slow her down from the craps table or slot machines.

Betty spread joy across a tri-state area through her baked goods, including apple dumplings, pies, cinnamons, oatmeal cookies, and orange cookies. No family member has been able to replicate her magic touch despite years of effort. She could also treat you to an impressive experience when you joined her for lunch or dinner at a local restaurant (as long as they gave her enough ice) because she knew half of New Castle and you would have the opportunity to meet new people and hear their stories.

She loved watching sports, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers. She knew who was playing well and who was not, and exactly which players were misbehaving to the extent that they may not deserve to wear the black and gold. She also attended baseball games, lacrosse matches, and various tournaments across three generations of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Betty was a member of the Croton United Methodist Church in New Castle. She would smile from ear to ear when her family joined her at church. She would share in their successes — before the service - because after we would need to move quickly to avoid the lines at the Ladies of the Dukes.

What was most important was spending time with her family. She was a member of Croton United Methodist Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Claudia (Ed) Chalow of Edinburg, PA and Rhonda (Jack) Arblaster of Yardley, PA; one son, Thomas J. (Kathie) Nelson of Poland, Ohio; four grandchildren, Jamie Arblaster Bridge (Frank Emper), Jodi (Chris) Becker, Ben (Christie) Nelson and Megan McConnell; and five great-grandchildren, Lexi Bridge (Dan) Reilly, Frank McConnell, Rylie Bridge, Trent Becker and Sydney Becker.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by twelve siblings.

The family would like to thank the healthcare staff at Masternick Memorial for their excellent care and kindness.

Visitation will be held from 10:00-12:00 on Saturday, May 27, at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.

A funeral service will take place immediately following visitation at 12:00 at the funeral home.

Betty will be laid to rest beside her husband in Castle View Cemetery.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.cunninghamfh.com.