Betty I. Festi

Betty I. Festi, 71, of Dover, died peacefully early Sunday morning, May 29, 2004 surrounded by her loving family.


Born July, 25, 1933 at New Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Gail Cunningham and Eliza McCullough Mallernee.

She had worked as a nurse�(TM)s aide at Union Hospital as well as several area nursing homes.

Over the years, Betty was involved in a variety of activities. She enjoyed gardening and always kept her family busy with garden work like picking, weeding and canning. She took up oil painting and in her excitement to start new paintings, she would stop right in the middle of a painting project and go on to the next, leaving her family a bounty of unfinished masterpieces.

Betty had a deep love for her family. She became interested in her family history and was able to trace her genealogy back to pre-civil war times. As much as she was interested in the past, it was this present edition of her family that she was enamored with. Her nine grandchildren had become the focal point of her life and she cherished every minute spent with them.

She will be missed most by her husband of more than 50 years, John J. Festi, who survives.

Others survivors include: two daughters, Gayle E. Holland & Holly J. (Lynn) Roth, both of Dover; a son, John R. “Rick” (Cindy) Festi of Sugarcreek; two brothers, William (Laura) Mallernee of Bolivar and Robert “Jerry” (Darlene) Mallernee of New Philadelphia; her nine grandchildren, Mason Swartzel, John, Liz and Matt Holland, Elicia & Justin Roth, and Andreina, Nate & Spencer Festi; an uncle, O. Richard (Pat) Mallernee; four brothers-in-law, Virgil (Nancy) Festi of Clendenning Lake, Frank (Angie) Festi, Ralph (Marie) Festi, and Lou (Sue) Festi all of Dover; a sister-in-law, Lena Antonelli of Dover; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by: two brothers-in-law, Lee Festi and Albert Antonelli; and two nephews, Jeffery Mallernee and Ralph Festi, Jr.

Betty�(TM)s body will cremated through the care of the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover. Her life will be celebrated in a memorial service at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 1, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Louise Worsham officiating. Following the service, a reception will be held in the Indian Meadows Church of God in Dover.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 W. 3rd St. Dover.

Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory
(330) 343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com