10/10/2025
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the sad news that our beloved friend and past president, Bette Alburger, passed away on September 30th.
Bette was very active in the Press Club and we always looked forward to seeing her at our events.
Our deepest condolences to her family.
For those wishing to attend, funeral arrangements can be found here.
Elizabeth A. (Bette) Alburger of Glen Mills, a freelance travel/features
writer, reviewer and local newspaper correspondent for 37 years, passed
into eternal life on September 30th, 2025 in Evergreen Pointe at Maris
Grove.
Mrs. Alburger was born to the late Gertrude and Frederick Agnew on
December 12, 1931 in Pittsburgh, PA. She lived there until 1954, when she
moved to Delaware County following marriage to her husband, George.
The couple, who met when they were journalism students at Penn State,
lived in Swarthmore before moving to Maris Grove retirement community in Glen Mills in 2008. They also had a residence in Ocean City, New Jersey.
Mrs. Alburger was a 1949 honors graduate of Dormont High School (now Keystone Oaks) in suburban Pittsburgh and was senior editor of the yearbook. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Penn State in 1953. While in college, she was a staff member of the Daily Collegian newspaper, was a member of the Treble Singers women’s choral group, Chimes academic honors society, Theta Sigma Phi national honorary society for women in journalism and was listed in “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.” She also was vice president of Alpha Upsilon chapter of Gamma Phi Beta national sorority and later joined the sorority’s Philadelphia West Suburban Alumni chapter.
Before launching her long writing career with the Delaware County Daily/Sunday Times, Town Talk/Press newspapers and News of Delaware County, Mrs. Alburger worked in advertising as a copywriter for Gimbels in Pittsburgh and John Wanamakers in Philadelphia.
As a travel journalist, she traveled extensively on both independent and invitational press trips, often with her husband, to many destinations in the U.S. and abroad. Twice she visited Belgium and Holland with her grandchild on invitational family press trips. Along with her husband, she toured Greece, Jordan, Israel and Egypt with the Wayne Concert Singers.
Mrs. Alburger was a charter member and past president of the Delaware County Press Club. She was made a lifetime member of the club in 2008 and won numerous press club honors. Along with local newspapers, her writings appeared in The Boston Globe and the Associated Press wire service. In addition, she won recognition from many community organizations – including Elwyn and
Friends of Middletown Free Library -- and in 2006 was named Philadelphia District Small Business Journalist of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Association.
Professional membership included Quill & Scroll honor society, Women in Communications, the Philadelphia Press Association and the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association. She also was a member of Middletown Township Business & Professional Association and the Dormont Historical Society in suburban Pittsburgh. For the Delaware County Chamber of
Commerce, she authored five annual editions of the resource publication Life in Delaware County, which won several national awards.
During her more than 60 years as a member of Chambers Memorial Presbyterian Church in Rutledge, Mrs. Alburger sang in the choir, was president of the Women’s Association, taught Sunday School for 30 years, edited the church newsletter for 10 years and served both as an ordained Deacon and ruling Elder.
At Maris Grove, she wrote for Neighbor News, was co-founder/president of the German-American Club and belonged to the Irish-American Club, Penn State Club, Maris Grove’s Safety Committee, Food Committee and Silent Auction Committee and the Circle of Grace bible study group.
Although writing was her lifelong passion, she also enjoyed classical music and opera, compiling photo albums, reading, traveling – especially cruising – keeping in touch with friends and family members and making holidays and birthdays special. But what she loved most of all was her family and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In addition to her husband of 68 years and parents, she was predeceased by her brother Tom and sister Pat, and son Mark. She is survived by her daughter Sorrel Ann (Lori) of New York City, grandson Cliff (Erin) of Seattle, two beloved cousins, cherished nieces and nephews and their families, plus many dear friends.
A memorial service will take place in the Maris Grove Chapel, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA at 3 pm on November 8, 2025. Visitation prior to the service, followed by a reception.
Private interment at Washington Crossing National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Maris Grove Resident Care Fund, 100 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA 19342, or to the music program at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester, PA 19382.
