Jean E. (Dreisbach) Getty

Jean E. Getty, 90, died Aug. 1, 2016, much as she lived — peacefully with family near — in her rural Catawissa home.
Jean was a gentle soul who faced adversity with grace and humor. She was slow to judge and quick to forgive.
Jean loved her family, car rides in the country, crossword puzzles, cats, Rita’s custard and watching  “Jeopardy!,” not always in that order. She also loved books, especially murder mysteries, routinely devouring two novels a week in her reading prime.
Dementia gradually stole her memories, her abilities and ultimately her life, but it never took her personality and loving nature.
Jean was born in April 1926 to Stephen and Margaret Shultz Dreisbach in Nanticoke. She grew up in the Catawissa area where she graduated high school. She completed training as a registered nurse at Geisinger in Danville.
Soon after, she married Frank A. Getty in 1947 and traded medicine for the jobs of wife, mother, homemaker, bookkeeper and farmhand.
Her fond husband of nearly 69 years survives her, along with daughters Lynne Rhoads and Lori Getty, both of rural Catawissa; sister-in-law Darla Martin of Millville, with whom she had a special friendship; a niece and several nephews.
She lost her sons, Douglas and infant Thomas, and grandson Eric Rhoads, as well as brother Allan “Whitey” Dreisbach, and sister Freda in childhood.
Her family is grateful to her longtime doctor, Eugene Radice, for years of good care, and to Columbia-Montour Home Hospice staff members for their expertise and kindness in her final months. Warm thanks are due to all her caregivers, whose efforts allowed her to stay comfortable in familiar surroundings.
A private memorial service for family and close friends will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Roaring Creek Valley United Methodist Church (formerly Mount Zion) on Mount Zion Road, Catawissa. The Rev. Adam Miller will preside. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Arrangements are being handled by Allen R. Horne Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 193 McIntyre Road, Catawissa.
Instead of flowers, her family suggests donations in her memory to Columbia-Montour Home Hospice, 410 Glenn Ave., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606 (www.mda.org), or to the charity of your choice.

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