Freeport's 'Mother Teresa' leaves official duties, plans to stay active
Her church pastor describes Betty Wilson as the Mother Teresa of Freeport.
"Everybody who's sick, I'll go to visit them," said Rev. Edd Myers, pastor at Freeport United Methodist Church. "And she's already there or has been there."
In his 33 years as a pastor, Myers said, he's never met a parishioner so involved, so dedicated and so willing to work.
In Freeport, Wilson has organized blood drives for 34 years and has led Meals on Wheels for 15 years.
Now, she'll retire from her volunteer work and in September will move to Longwood at Oakmont Retirement Community. On Thursday, she ran a blood drive at the church before handing over the reins to Mandy Crytzer of Freeport.
"It will take a few people to fill her shoes," Crytzer said.
Wilson recently received the Clara Barton Award from the American Red Cross for her service. Eight churches in the Freeport ministerium participate in the blood drives, rotating the duties of hosting the event and providing cookies for it. Blood drives are held about every 50 days.
Wilson attended the West Penn Hospital School of Nursing and worked at West Penn and HealthSouth Harmarville Rehabilitation Hospital.
"I always thought it was important to give blood," she said.
She's also traveled to every continent, taken mission trips and has been a member of the church for nearly 50 years.
Though she's retiring, Wilson plans to stay active.
"I don't think there's going to be a problem with me having something to do," she said.
Crytzer said Wilson has already given her information about organizing the blood drives. Crytzer said she never would have thought to lead the drives if it hadn't been for Wilson giving a push.
She's demanding, but no more demanding than she is of herself, Myers said.
"It's just phenomenal," Myers said. "I don't know how she does everything."
Additional Information:
Betty Wilson
Age: 79.
Hometown: Natrona Heights.
Family: Husband, Dr. Richard Wilson; children, David Wilson, Bruce Wilson, Barbara Mrozek and Brenda Wilson; and five grandchildren.
Favorite thing about the Valley: 'The people are friendly and they try and make you feel welcome.'
