Elisabeth Kurzinski

Elisabeth Kurzinski, age 67, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on September 5 in the loving care of immediate family following a brave battle with cancer, which she faced with infinite optimism and strength.

Elisabeth “Betsy” Ann Homonnay was born to William and Rosemary Homonnay on January 29, 1957 and grew up in Twinsburg, Ohio. In 1966, the family moved to the nearby suburb of Bedford where she attended Bedford High School and made lifelong friends with whom she remained close.

Betsy was a spirited, creative, and adventurous girl with a wonderful sense of humor. She had the ability to improvise amusing parody songs in a moment’s notice and hand draw hilarious satirical comics to the delight of her family and friends. Her other childhood enjoyments included playing the flute and piccolo and cheerleading as a member of Junior and Senior High school squads. She also excelled in track and field where she at one time held the school record in the long jump.

Betsy attended Bowling Green State University, but her ambitions to expand her horizons led her to New York City where she joined jeweler Cartier’s corporate headquarter management team. There, she met her future husband Alan during a company-sponsored Christmas cruise around the island. In 1986, the pair moved to Pittsburgh to begin a family, and their first two children, Katie and Aron, were born. In 1990, the family moved to Greensburg-Hempfield where they resided in a beautifully restored 1790’s log home. They welcomed their second daughter, Emily, four years later.

In Greensburg, Betsy ran a successful antiques business and continued her interests in reading, art, travel, entertaining and visiting friends while adding to her extensive antique collection. At heart, Betsy was truly welcoming and genuine to all, never hesitating to extend love and kindness (to humans and animals alike). This was especially evident during holiday dinners where family would be joined by close friends, neighbors, acquaintances, or guests she had just met.

Betsy was devoted to her family and survived by her beloved husband of 36 years, Alan, her professionally successful children, Dr. Katherine Kurzinski (Dr. Christopher Follansbee), Aron Kurzinski (Chelsea Kurzinski), and Emily Kurzinski, her sister Laura Demilio (Richard Demilio) and baby grandchildren, Evelyn Jane Kurzinski and Harper Elizabeth Follansbee, who were her greatest joy during her treatments. Also surviving is her cherished silver labrador retriever, Tabor.

Betsy will be mourned and greatly missed by her family who loves her dearly, her devoted friends-both current and lifelong, and many fond associates in the local antiquarian community. A private celebration of her life will be held in the spring.