Obituary of Elizabeth Cord

Elizabeth (Betty) Cord passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024, surrounded by her children. Her family envisions her in the loving arms of her husband, Jack, who passed away in 2011. The phrase "lived a full life" doesn't even begin to encompass Betty's 94 years of living. She truly did it all, had it all, and experienced it all.

Betty's love of winter, especially snow, came from her upbringing in Paul Smiths, New York. At an early age, she learned to figure skate, ski, and ride her pony - who shared her name.

Betty met the love of her life at Saranac Lake High School and married Jack Cord a few years after graduation. The young couple's goal was to have a big family, and soon, the babies started arriving. The family moved their five children around the country, stopping in Boston, Dallas, Buffalo, North Hollywood, and finally Glen Mills where she has resided for the past 57 years. They usually had a German Shepherd in tow - the family's favorite dog breed. Being a stay-at-home mom was one of Betty's proudest titles. But she decided to finish her college degree when the kids grew and needed her less.

Driving by Our Lady of Angels College in Aston sparked an interest that Betty pursued. She called the college president, Mother Everelda, and asked if they would accept an "older" student - a revolutionary thought at the time. The answer was yes, and Betty became the first student at the college to do so. OLA became Betty's home away from home for the next 20 years. She received her B.A. in Psychology and went on to West Chester University and earned a master's in counseling, all the while working as the assistant director of the OLA counseling department. Betty gained tremendous satisfaction helping other older students navigate college life. She taught classes on assertiveness training, death and dying, and grief counseling.

Betty's heart belongs to her family, which has grown from five children to 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She always wanted the family to be together and successfully persuaded her husband to buy into many vacations, a backyard swimming pool, and a beach house in Sea Isle City. Cherished memories were created at all of these special spots. Sports- especially Philly sports- was a passion for Betty. Her love for football started in high school as a cheerleader. She became a Buffalo Bills fan while living in North Tonawanda, NY. When she moved to the Philadelphia area, she quickly became a fan - especially for the Eagles and Sixers. College football was a favorite, too. She cheered for Notre Dame and spent many Saturdays tailgating in Happy Valley, cheering on the Nittany Lions. Her faith guided Betty's life. A devout Catholic, Betty and her family were members of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Chester Heights for over 50 years. She supported the church and the school by teaching CCD, being a substitute teacher, and running the Panda Pitch booth at the Old St. Thomas Fair.

One of Betty's claims to fame was that she once held the title of the oldest living radio personality in the Philadelphia region. This came about because of a radio show on WMMR that she and her husband hosted with their son Matt Cord. For 26 years, the trio would be on the air on Christmas morning playing holiday songs, welcoming friends in the studio and on phone calls, and providing the backdrop for many people in the tri-state area every year.

The title of Grannie was the moniker that Betty cherished the most. She was so proud of everything her grandkids accomplished. When her family was blessed with two grandchildren with Down syndrome, Betty became a supporter of Special Olympics, Bournelyf Special Camp, and the Delaware County Down Syndrome Interest Group.

In addition to her parents, Benjamin & Maude Hayes Muncil, Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Cord who died in 2011, and 2 brothers, Robert and Benjamin Muncil. She is survived by 5 children, Michael (Cathy) Cord, Kathleen (Donald) Casey, Nancy (David) Baran, Matthew (Pattyann) Cord, and Carolyn (Jeffrey) Seagraves, 11 grandchildren, Bryan, Sarah, Caitlin, Shannon, Erin, Ryan, Nicholas, Annie, Dylan, Nathan, and Lily, 9 great-grandchildren, Tabatha, Sylvie, Max, Dom, Hank, Asa, Eva, Jack, and Sofia.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 from 8:30AM - 10:45AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (New Church), 430 Valleybrook Rd., Glen Mills, PA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM. Interment, St. Thomas Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Betty by donating to The Father Bill Atkinson Service Corps at www.friendsoffatherbill.org .