Bettina Clowney

Welcome to our CaringBridge website for Bettina.  As you know from the most recent updates to this site, Bettina died at home Saturday night, February 22nd. She was cremated, and when the corona virus pandemic has run its course there will be a memorial service for her at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Harleysville, PA. The service will be accompanied by an exhibition of some of her work at the church. We'll announce details as we know them. 


We've left this story unchanged, told as we lived through it with Bettina from the beginning of November 2019 until the end of February, 2020.

   On Labor Day, 2019, Bettina tripped and fell getting out of the tub. She fractured her left shoulder and ribs. The fractures, while painful, did not require a cast, and have been healing well. But the loss of use of that arm came on top of a flare-up of her rheumatic disease that has persisted since this spring. Her health has declined steadily during that time. She has been in and out of hospitals and rehabs for the past two months, and is currently too weak to stand. On admission to Abington hospital, an MRI revealed that she has experienced several small strokes that have affected her memory, cognition and speech. 
   Bettina was discharged from the hospital on Sunday, November 24th. We brought her home, where she very much wants to be, and are caring for her there with the assistance of nurses, therapists and health-care aides. We're hoping and praying for significant recovery of strength and cognition.  She welcomes visitors, though she tires easily. Stimulation and loving presence help her brain heal itself.

   Please feel free to post your well-wishes here. You can also send cards to the house, which we will show and read to her.

We will update this page periodically with more info as we have it.

We appreciate your support, words of hope and encouragement. 
Thank you for visiting.