Elizabeth “Betty” J. Cloud, 77, died July 11, with her family by her side at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia after a brief illness. She was born April 17, 1937 in Wilmington to the late Kennard and Erma Rigler Sweede of Chadds Ford. She was the granddaughter of Joseph and Katie Rigler; and the niece of Earl and Margaret Rigler.
Betty attended junior high at the Chadds Ford School where she earned a letter in softball and was a member of the Glee Club. While attending Kennett High School she was part of “The Five K’s” cheerleading squad and graduated in 1955. After graduation Betty was employed by Diamond State Telephone in testing services for 5 years. In 1957 Betty married her high school sweetheart Horace “Pennell” Cloud and shortly after settled into their current home in Kennett Square. After their son, Jeffrey Lane Cloud, was born in 1960, Betty spent her time as a homemaker and leading Cub Scout Pack 24 in many activities. In the late 1970s she became a member of Barrie’s Shoes in Kennett Square where she continued to work for 19 years.
Her hobbies included ceramics, knitting and playing Scrabble with her friend, Loretta. Betty loved preparing for Christmas and shopping for all her friends and relatives, especially the little ones. Her home was always filled with holiday decorations and her Christmas tree filled with hundreds of cherished ornaments, carefully packed and unpacked each year.
Over the years Betty and her husband traveled extensively visiting 13 countries but the place most special to her was Ocean City, Md. where she had taken vacations every year since the 1940s. Her husband joined the tradition and for more than four decades they would stay at the same hotel (the former Belmont-Hearne) on Dorchester Street where they made many friends and began an annual Pig Roast at the hotel every fall. The Mayor of Ocean City, Md. awarded Betty and Pennell the “Key to the City” for their years of supporting the beach community, providing interviews for regional publications and actively participating in local events like Sunfest.
In addition to the pig roasts at the beach and working at Pete’s Pig Out Concession Stand, Betty enjoyed helping with pig roasts along the Elk River with her son and his wife where she loved playing with her great grandson Ethan. In recent years she took great pleasure in spending time with her little buddy, Jayden, at Nixon Park in Kennett Square where they would walk, fish and feed corn to the deer and squirrels.
Betty is survived by her beloved husband, Horace P. Cloud, her son, Jeffrey L. Cloud and his wife, Mary, of Chesapeake City, Md.; four nieces, Patti Bryson of Wilmington, Donna Pida of Wilmington, Karen E. Fidanza and her husband, Mark V., of Avondale, Carol T. Myers and her husband, Cubby, of Kennett Square. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Norma Sweede, Patricia Pida and Lois Tice. Other survivors include several grandchildren, great grandchildren and many great nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to the viewing and visitation on Thursday, July 17, at Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 from 6 to 8:30 Pp.m. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at Union Hill Cemetery, 424 North Union St, Kennett Square, PA 19348.
Online condolences maybe made by visiting www.griecocares.com
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