Bettie Clavin

Bettie Marie Clavin (nee D'Amond), age 95, a 70 year resident of Clifton Heights, passed away on January 5, 2019.

She died from complications due to end stage Alzheimer's disease, which she battled for close to 20 years. She passed away peacefully to meet her Lord and Savior with her loving family by her side at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester.

Bettie was born in Philadelphia during the roaring '20s on March 7, 1923. Raised in Darby and Collingdale, she moved to Upper Darby prior to WWII. There she met the love of her life, Joseph Clavin, after he returned from the Pacific front. Bettie survived the Great Depression and worked during the war effort for various companies to help support her family. In 1948, she married Joseph Clavin, and they raised 7 beautiful children together in Clifton Heights.

Bettie was a people person and an animal lover. She enjoyed feeding the birds, gardening and entertainment. Back in the day, she was an audience guest on shows such as "Stop, Look, and Listen" in the '50s, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "The Tonight Show." She liked to see live shows at the Latin Casino and Steel Pier in Atlantic City, where she would sneak backstage to get an autograph, and on occasion, even jump on stage for some fun. She enjoyed going to the theater beginning in the silent era and watching classic movies starring her favorite actor, Clark Gable. Every year, she looked forward to taking her children to the Christmas festivities at Wanamaker's in Philadelphia (now Macy's). She continued this tradition with her grandchildren who she loved so much.

Bettie had a sense of adventure and loved to travel. She went "down the shore" every year where she liked relaxing on the beach. She also traveled to states in the West and Midwest regions of the country.

She loved to walk and would stroll for miles with her mother as a kid, and later with her son until age 94 when a fall incapacitated her. Bettie had a big heart and a magnetic personality. She would light up a room and make everyone laugh. She was not afraid to show her wild side, which on many occasions included hitting the dance floor and kicking her legs high above her head just like the Rockettes. Later in life, she attended Aldan Union Church where the parishioners loved her dearly. Bettie was also a freelance sketch artist.



Bettie was the daughter of the late Richard and Elizabeth (nee Lamb) D'Amond.

She is predeceased by her husband Joseph Clavin, who passed after their 40th wedding anniversary in 1988, her brothers, Richard and David D'Amond and son-in-law, Paul Edward Peterson. She is survived by children, Jennifer and William Clavin, caregivers at her home in Clifton Heights, caregiver, Mary Anne Peterson of Aston, Elizabeth (Thomas) Meehan of Glenolden, Frances Clavin of Dallas, TX, Robert (Donna) D'Amond of Morton and Christopher (Anna) Clavin of Chester Springs. Grandchildren, Angela (Charles) Meehan-Smith of Clifton Heights, Paul (Michelle) Peterson of Boothwyn, Kelly (Charles) Barnett of Drexel Hill, Marie (John) Zebley of Swarthmore, Lauren (Steven Irey) Peterson of Norwood, Joseph Peterson of Aston, Randy Nelson of Dallas, TX, James (Diana) Clavin of King of Prussia, Alexandra (Justin) Kobeski of Bryn Mawr, and 14 great-grandchildren.

Internment Private at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 399 Market Street #102, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or Neighborhood Hospice, 400 E. Marshall St., West Chester, PA 19380.

Arrangements by Donohue Funeral Home, Newtown Square, PA, 610-353-6300.