Betty Ann Larosa passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Harmony of White Oaks in Bridgeport.
She was the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Renzelli of Clarksburg, WV. She was born on May 24, 1938 in Anmoore, WV. where she lived for the first years of her life.
She is survived by her husband Gene. They married in 1959 and have been married for over 66 years. They had two sons David (Melinda) of Atlanta, GA and Jeffrey (Kim) of Clinton, TN. They have three grandkids, Ryan Larosa in Atlanta, GA, Kaylyn Lowery (Michael) of Clinton, TN, Lexie Larosa of Clinton, TN and four great grand kids, Kinsley, Kayden, Maci Lowery of Clinton, IN and Sabastian Larosa of Atlanta, GA.
As a second-generation descendent of Italian immigrants on her father’s side, she grew up in a large Italian family with its strong faith, the work ethic, love of good food and the closeness that binds the family. She also inherited a love for sports and music.
The other half of her blood is a second generation Slovak. She experienced those same values from her maternal grandparents who likewise raised a large family during difficult times.
Betty worked at local businesses, particularly at Chamberlaine and Flowers Insurance Agency in Clarksburg, WV. She also became active in All Saints Church, serving on the Liturgy Committee as a Eucharistic Minister, singing in the choir and helping provide meals at the Clarksburg Mission.
She retired from her insurance job when her sons were in high school so she and her husband could take a more active part in their high school years at Notre Dame.
She now enjoys visiting their sons and their families. She is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order, and had served as Provincial Vice-minister. During that time, she traveled to several states in the province to meet and serve other Fraternities.
Once she had the time Betty began doing research for what she perceived as one novel. It turned into a 20-year project that ended up with five novels: a 4-part family saga of a family growing up during the civil war and a ghost story. She found that doing the research was fun and easier than writing. Her books have been selling across the county.
Because of their involvement and support of Notre Dame High School and Catholic education, Betty and Gene were chosen as Irish Legends at a annual gala, and later were recipients of the Bishop’s Cross conferred by Bishop Michael Bransfield.
For its first seven years, she was the coordinator for the Author’s Forum, a cultural venue of the WV Italian Heritage Festival. During that time, she contacted many well-known authors of Italian descent, both locally and out of state, to present their books. And she was happy to help when two local authors sought her advice on how to get their endeavors in print,
One of her favorite stories is that she could make basketball foul shots over her head backwards to the basket. She showed this several times to the players at NDHS.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Betty’s memory to Notre Dame High School, 127 East Pike St., Clarksburg, WV 26301.
In accordance with Betty’s wishes, her body will be cremated. The family will receive friends at All Saints Catholic Church, 317 E. Main St., Bridgeport, WV 26330, on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. The Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be held in the church at 11 a.m. with Father Walter Jagela as celebrant. A committal service will follow at Bridgeport Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.
