The Life of Elizabeth Rogacz

Elizabeth Marcel Rogacz 

Elizabeth (Betty) Rogacz, formerly of Andrews,NC,  passed away peacefully on Monday July 12th after a period of declining health. Betty, the daughter of Jean and Mary Fiandrino, was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1927. She attended West Philadelphia Catholic Girls High School graduating in 1945. After high school she met (and worked for) her future husband, John, at Sealtest Ice Cream. They were married in January of 1948.

Betty lived a life of service to her family and to many organizations throughout her life. She was a Girl Scout leader extraordinaire when she lived in Pennsylvania, and fully supported her husband and his career as well as her two daughters. In 1972, her husband’s career took them from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania to Andrews, North Carolina - quite a change for a city girl from Philadelphia. She ultimately grew to love the mountains of North Carolina - both the beauty of her surroundings but even more the wonderful and welcoming friends she found there. 

After ‘her girls’ left for college she too decided it was time to get her college degree. She graduated with honors from Western Carolina University with a degree in Psychology. She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma as well as The American Association of University Women (AAUW) serving as an officer in the local chapters. She also organized many fundraisers for the Andrews Library throughout her years there, and was an active member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. 

After her husband passed in 1999, she began a new phase of her life traveling the world; she especially enjoyed her trips to Africa, Australia, and China. While home, she enjoyed her time with her wonderful group of girlfriends in Andrews; their laughter-filled girls nights would last until early the next morning.    

In 2015 she moved to Massachusetts to be closer to family. She was able to enjoy many family events and celebrations as a result…. and her family loved having her close. 

Betty is survived by her two daughters Suzanne Rogacz, M.D. (Steve Kariya, MD) and Patti Ross (Alan) along with 5 grandchildren Tina Kariya, MD (Robert), Michael Kariya (Danielle), Andrew Ross (Joanna), Lauren Ross (Brooks Barth), and Justine Ross as well as one great grand-daughter, Scarlett Kariya. 

A celebration of Betty and a life well lived is planned for July 23rd and 24th in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. She will be interred at Fernwood Cemetery, Lansdowne PA beside her husband and parents.