Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" (McDonald) Fry Szeles

Mary Elizabeth “Bettie” McDonald Fry Szeles, age 98, of Kannapolis, NC formerly of Summerdale PA, passed away while receiving long term care at Five Oaks Manor in Concord NC on April 27, 2022.

Mary was born September 8, 1923 in Perry Co. PA, a daughter of the late Robert C. and Myrtle Bell McDonald. She was one of eight children. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sisters; Pauline Bollinger, Marjorie Elsasser, Jean Simmons, Shirley Sarver and a brother, Robert McDonald.

At the age of 23, she married Raymond C. Fry and had two sons, Raymond Lynn and Carlton Darwin (died at birth). Raymond C. passed away in 1986 after 40 years of marriage. She later married John A. Szeles and toured the United States, especially enjoying the southwest American Indian culture. John passed away in 2011 after twenty years of marriage.

Mary was raised on a farm outside of Millerstown, Perry County, PA; then worked in the garment industry for thirty-one years and for several years at Miller’s Greenhouses, Marysville PA. She was widely known as an excellent seamstress but also enjoyed gardening, ceramics, doll collecting, wooden craft projects, needlepoint, crocheting and, as a self-taught artist, painted many pictures which she sold or shared with family and friends. Mary is survived by her son Raymond Fry (Jill) of Concord, NC; grandchildren – Jennifer, Rebekah and Amanda; great-grandchildren - Benjamin, Andrew, Adam, Molly and Logan; her sister, Carol Elsasser and her brother Richard McDonald (Kay).

Whitley’s Funeral Home is assisting the family in North Carolina. Online condolences may be sent to www.whitleysfuneralhome.com and David Myers Funeral Home is assisting the family in PA., 125 Walnut St. Newport, PA 17074

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances can be made in Mary’s name to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6839 Wertzville Rd. Enola PA 17025

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