Elizabeth M. Franklin 1940-2026

Betty was born Jan. 21, 1940, in Youngstown, a daughter of the late Michael and Anna Kral Pavlick. She was raised in Austintown and graduated from Fitch High School in 1958.

Betty’s sweet, caring nature afforded her many friends throughout her life. She had a special group of friends from grade school through high school into their adult lives. The “Club Girls” would meet once a month to play cards and keep in touch.

Betty was a great cook and baker. Her Slovak heritage shined when making haluski or halupki. But she also made great spaghetti sauce and meatballs. To this day, her grandsons ask for sauce “like Meemaw made it,” and until this day, the grandsons ask for sloppy joes “like Meema made.”

She loved the Canfield Fair. She attended every year until recently. It was there that her baking talents were rewarded with a blue ribbon for her pie crust.

Betty and her husband owned a camp for many years on the Clarion River in Pennsylvania. She loved spending time on the river and in the mountains with family and friends. After that, she enjoyed sitting on the shores of Lake Erie watching the sunsets, the waves and the beauty of the lake.

She truly enjoyed “stopping to smell the roses” and taking the time to appreciate life’s simple pleasures.

Many afternoons were spent in Fellows Riverside Gardens (“The Rose Garden”), admiring the beauty of the flowers and listening to the birds.

Betty was a strong woman, but her strength was expressed through gentleness, kindness and a positive spirit. In reflection on one of her last days, she said, “It’s been a good life.”

Betty is survived by her three daughters, Loretta (Nick) Uroseva of Austintown, Colleen (Scott) Calhoun of Erie, Pa., and Elizabeth “Liz” (Allan) Fowler of Indianapolis, Indiana; four grandchildren, Nicholas Uroseva, Mark Uroseva, Sean (Marisa) Calhoun and Ryan Calhoun; two step-grandchildren, Nicole Fowler and Garrett Fowler; and a great-grandchild, Robert “Bo” Calhoun.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, George W. Franklin, whom she married May 7, 1960, and who passed away April 14, 2020; two sisters, Dorothy Shannon and Elaine Lacusky; and two brothers, John Pavlick and George Pavlick.

Betty’s family cannot appropriately express how grateful they are for the excellent care and compassion given by Victoria House Assisted Living and Harmony Hospice. Their dedication and genuine concern brought comfort not only to our mom but also to the entire family.

Family and friends may call 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 29, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Austintown Chapel, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Parish-St. Christine Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria House Activities Department, 5295 Ashley Circle, Austintown, OH 44509; or Harmony Hospice, 7010 South Ave., Suite 4, Boardman, OH 44512.

On her worst days, if someone would ask how she was, she would reply with, “I’m good; every day is as good as you make it.”

(special notice)