Elizabeth Josephine (Schultz) Matala

Elizabeth J. Matala, 90, of Greenfield Twp. for the past 65 years, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, Wednesday, March 21, at Regional Hospital of Scranton. She was the widow of Joseph A. Matala, to whom she was married for over 50 years.

Born Saturday, Nov. 19, 1927, in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Josephine Kozlosky Schultz. Betty was a graduate of Dickson City High School and was a waitress at Len’s Diner in Dickson City for many years. She was a member of Corpus Christi Parish, St. John Vianney Church, 709 Montdale Road, Scott Twp. Betty was a past member of the Lakeland Chief’s Booster Club and the John Hancock Memorial Lodge.

Betty was an avid Lakeland Chiefs and Penn State fan, and was a big follower of the Lackawanna County Eagle’s Football Team. She was a diehard New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Betty was better known by the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Baron’s Ball Club as ‘Betty Cakes,’ making it her mission to frequently bake tons of cupcakes for the players and deliver them to the clubhouse prior to the start of the game, of which she attended quite a few. When the Red Barons left, she carried on the tradition with the New York Yankee’s Triple A Club. Players, at the time, would frequently place their ‘orders’ in advance to ensure receiving their favorite flavor. She was even featured for her kind efforts in the Scranton Times-Tribune some time ago.

Betty and her husband, Joe, were among the founding members of the Greenfield Twp. Volunteer Fire Department. For years, she was an active member and aided in the creation of the Greenfield Twp. Ladies’ Auxiliary, marching in fireman’s parades with a host of her friends to raise money for the fire department.

In her younger years, she loved her frequent travels to Hawaii with her husband, Joe. She loved to polka and would frequently go to dances with her best friend, Ellie Baka, and Frank. 

A very special thank you to Ellie and Frank for all of the great times they shared with her. Thank you to Dr. Tamrat Bekele, Theresa Micknick, Kim and Becky of the Paragon Home Health Staff.

Surviving are her daughter, Marie and husband, Ken Finley, Peckville; her beloved grandchildren, Joshua Swartz, Moosic; Kristopher and his wife, Nikki Matala, Jermyn; and her cherished great-grandson, Lucas. 

Betty was also preceded in death by her son, Michael Matala, in 2011, and her daughter-in-law Carolyn Yurkanin Matala.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the David Duchnik Scholarship Fund, c/o Honesdale National Bank, 202 Betty St., Eynon, PA 18403. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Monday, March 26, at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Parish, St. John Vianney Church, 704 Montdale Road, Scott Twp., with interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Scott Twp. Family will receive friends Sunday, March 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Louis J. Rapoch Funeral Home, 420 Church St., Archbald. Those attending Mass are asked to go directly to the church. 

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