Betty Daliessio

“I’ll find you in the morning sun, and when the night is new, I’ll be looking at the moon, and I’ll be seeing you.”

Obituary

Betty Lorraine Daliessio (neé Passwater), age 95, of Boothwyn, PA, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, June 24th, 2025, at her residence. She was born July 5, 1929, in Delaware County, PA, a daughter of the late Orban and Edna Passwater.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Daliessio; son David Daliessio, brother, Ben Passwater; and sisters June Pinnock, and Joyce Taylor.

Known as Mom, Mommom, GiGi Mom, and Nanny, Betty was an incredible grandmother and great-grandmother to both her biological and chosen families. Food was her love language. If you knew her, she fed you at one time or another, or at least handed you a homemade loaf of pumpkin bread, ginger bread, or banana bread to take with you. Her happy place was in her kitchen, and her cheesecake was second to none. In addition to cooking, Bettin’ Betty loved hitting the casino, playing cards and bingo, and spending time with her family. She loved to sing and dance, and if there were Mummers anywhere within earshot, she was up and strutting. She created amazing hats for all occasions. A widow at 49, she had to start her life over again, including learning to drive. She helped raise her grandkids. She was a bartender, a cook, a restaurant manager, a babysitter, and so much more.

She would surprise you with hilarious stories, like one Thanksgiving when she regaled the family with the tale that in her 50s, her dream job was to become the madame of a brothel. The entire Philadelphia region got to hear this story live on the radio as she was interviewed by Preston and Steve of WMMR ahead of the Granny Grand Prix, where she raced a go-cart at age 80.

Betty is survived by her children, Lorraine Daliessio, Christine Reeder, and George Daliessio; her grandchildren Nickolette Phillips (Steve Playo), Shannon Diiorio (Michael), Joseph Daliessio (Donetta), Gretchen Reeder (John Wisniewski), Rachel Lovano (Michael), David Daliessio (Meghan), and 7 great-grandchildren, as well as the Oropeza family.

When Betty learned there was a shortage of cadavers for medical students, she decided to donate her body to science. In 2003, she made arrangements with the Humanity Gifts Registry of PA, and is currently teaching students at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

The family is making plans for a Celebration of Life at a later date.

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August 1, 2025

So many memories. Some that I treasure from childhood: All of the aluminum foil stars she would hang from the living room ceiling at Christmas time. She'd tape them up one by one. Just beautiful. And napping in the bedroom off the kitchen while the adults played penny poker. Those clinking coins and the murmurs of my relatives and parent was a great lullaby. Ill remember you forever Aunt Betty - until we meet again on the other side of the veil.

Mary Ann Daliessio

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Other family members

The Oropezas

Orban Passwater

Edna Turner

Joseph Bruce Daliessio

June Pinnock

Ben Passwater

Christine Daliessio Reeder

Children

Gretchen Reeder

Rachel Lovano

Lorraine Daliessio

Children

Nickolette Phillips

David Daliessio

Children

David Daliessio

George Daliessio

Children

Shannon DiIorio

Joseph Daliessio

Joyce Taylor

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June Pinnock

Ben Passwater

Joyce Taylor

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Joseph Bruce Daliessio

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Christine Daliessio Reeder

Gretchen Reeder

Rachel Lovano

Lorraine Daliessio

Nickolette Phillips

David Daliessio

David Daliessio

George Daliessio

Shannon DiIorio

Joseph Daliessio

Betty Daliessio

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