Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Jean Parks 1945-2025

Betty was born Sept. 24, 1945, in Youngstown, the daughter of Verne and Ann Dobran Streb.

A 1963 honors student graduate of Ursuline High School, she worked as a telephone operator first in Youngstown. She then married her husband, Phil, and worked as a telephone operator. Later they owned and operated the Bar None Bakery in Arizona, selling doughnuts in the Mojave Desert.

After living in California, they decided to move home to Ohio to start a family. She then studied for two years in the registered nursing program at YSU, but stopped to care for her ailing child. Once health returned, she went back to school, majoring in real estate, and was a Realtor for two companies in Ohio.

She returned to working as a telephone operator when the family moved seasonally to Florida. Along with her husband, Phil, Betty lived in various parts of the country from Youngstown, Boardman and New Middletown to Buffalo, New York, Kingman, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, Siesta Key, Sarasota, Florida, and Honolulu, Hawaii.

An avid reader her entire life, she then became an author and, with her son, published seven illustrated books over 25 years.

Her warmth, curiosity and adorable sense of humor made her a joy to be around. In addition to raising her children, she helped raise her grandson while her daughter and husband were stationed at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii, while in the Navy.

A woman of many talents and interests, besides writing, Betty enjoyed art, movies, drawing and painting, studying religions, science, nature, economics, world history, political science and current events. Betty also had a deep appreciation for music, enjoyed playing the piano, and attended many concerts over the years, from the Beach Boys to the Eagles, operas to ballets — she loved them all!

An athlete at heart, she kept active throughout her life and enjoyed waterskiing, tennis, swimming, biking and walking. She was also a loyal sports fan who cheered passionately for the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Pittsburgh Steelers and the Boston Red Sox.

Betty is survived by her beloved children, Katie (Les) Tyler and David Parks, with whom she made her home; her cherished grandson, Kevin (Maria) Musser; her great-grandson, Remy; and her brothers, Bob and David Streb. She also is lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 42 years, Phillip Parks; and her brothers, Ralph, Bill and Don Streb.

Although Betty will be missed dearly, her family knows she’s on her next great adventure in the cosmos! An amazing person and mom, a true Earth angel just got her wings and is spreading the “kindness connection” throughout heaven and the universe — and made her way over the rainbow!

Per Betty’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or services at this time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences.

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