October 27, 1936 - January 11, 2025
Betty J. (Twigg) Grabenstein, 88, of Cumberland, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025 at her home.
Born October 27, 1936, to Norman V. and Flossie (Stallings) Twigg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Ronald Vincent Grabenstein; two unborn children; two brothers, Virgil and William “Billy” Twigg; granddaughter, Jennifer Jones; and sons-in-law, Harold “Buck” Hyson and Vernon Schaidt.
Betty was a 1954 graduate from Oldtown School.
Betty worked at G.C. Murphy’s before becoming a wife and mother. She gave her time as a Cub Scout mother for years. Later she was an independent contractor for Home Interior & Gifts. Her hobbies included collecting mice and then after an encounter with what she believed to be an angel, she started collecting angels and always wore one on her shoulder. She also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and puzzle books, especially cryptograms.
Betty was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she helped with the Martha Group and the Mother/Daughter Dinners and was selected as Woman of the Year in 1997.
Betty was a dedicated member of the District 16 VFD Ladies Auxiliary where she worked tirelessly providing catering for firehall activities, fundraising and private bookings.
Betty’s accomplishments include past president for Allegany Garrett County Firemen’s Association Ladies Auxiliary, 1999 president for Ladies Auxiliary Maryland State Firemen’s Association (LAMSFA) and received the LAMSFA Honey Award.
Betty is survived by 12 children: Anna Hyson, Springfield, WV; Anthony Grabenstein (Rose), Maurertown, VA; Rhonda Schaidt (Ricky), Cumberland, MD; Edward Grabenstein (Pamela), Toms Brook, VA; Jeffrey Grabenstein, Cumberland, MD; Robert Grabenstein (Jenise), Fort Ashby, WV; Carla Shafer (Bruce), Oldtown, MD; Sherry Wiley (Paul), Jacksonville, AR; Patricia Fields (Cecil), Fort Ashby, WV; Ronald Grabenstein Jr (Julie), Cumberland, MD; Melissa Shook (Mike), Fort Ashby, WV; and Frederick Grabenstein (Karen), Statesboro, GA; grandchildren Scott, Chris, Mandy, Veronica, Gabriel, Avery, Nathan, Jeremy, Michael, Caleb, Zach, Elijah, Alex, Kylie, Trevor, Megan, Josh, Jeffrey, Justin, Ryan, Tonya, Daniel, Cynthia, Brenna, Devin, Noah, Kaide; great grandchildren Bristol, Gracie, Kaylee, Kenzie, Willow, Ariana, Brayden, Shayla, Chelsea, Silas, Jace, Makenzie, Elliott, Anna Leigh, Abel, Hayden, Haisley, Harper, Brooklyn, Eian, Raelynn, Camden, Dawson, Sadie, Miller; and sister, Virginia Cessna.
Friends will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, MD on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. LAMSFA will hold a memorial service.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
Interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Scott, Gabriel, Avery, Nathan, Alex, Josh, Jeffrey, Devin, and Noah.
The family would like to thank the UPMC Hospice family and Cathy Pannone for giving up her time for regular salon visits and communion to mom. Also thank our family and friends for all their continued thoughts and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, family requests memorial donations be made to Our Lady of the Mountain, St. Mary’s Parish at 300 E Oldtown Road, Cumberland MD 21502 or District 16 VFD at 12100 N Branch Road SE, Cumberland, MD 21502 in Betty’s name.
