ELIZABETH J. “BETTY” HORNIK (Nee LoPorto) age 71, Beloved wife of the late John A.; Loving mother of Amy Barto (Jim) and Kevin John; Dearest grandmother of Dalton J. Hornik, Elizabeth, Grace and Julianne; daughter of the late Cathrine and Salvador LoPorto; Cherished sister of Rosemary Kaselak (Steve), Mary Grace Konkoly (late Richard), Leonard (late Shirley), Sr. Agnesmarie SND and Sr. Sandra SSJ-TOSF; daughter-in-law of the late Josephine and John Hornik; sister-in-law of Doug (Janet), Janene Carpenter (Dave), and the late David; Dear aunt of many. Betty Hornik passed away peacefully at home, in her sleep on May 27, 2020, due to complications of PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and dystonia. Betty was diagnosed with this very RARE neurological disease in February of 2012. PSP is a very RARE neurological disease which is often misdiagnosed as the common Parkinson’s disease or depression. The most common first symptom which occurs on average, when a person is in their 60’s, is loss of balance while walking, and unexplained falls. These falls are usually backwards, whereas people with Parkinson’s fall forward. Loss of mobility, difficulty with vertical eye movement, sensitivity to bright light, and difficulty with speech and swallowing are all disabling, while memory and cognitive functions stay strong.Betty’s goal and life mission was to spread awareness. Betty was diagnosed with this very RARE neurological disease in February of 2012. This was after three years of searching, researching, questioning, and endless doctor appointments that could not explain her condition. Finally, on February 20th, of 2012, we got a name and a diagnosis. It was a day of relief and a time to celebrate because we were on our way to recovery! Those feelings instantly turned to disbelief and horror, as we heard the prognosis that PSP was a progressive disease with no cure.Our PSP journey began long ago with denial, and then grief, and finally with acceptance over the years. How could someone, like Betty, so full of life, so bubbly, so beautiful, so smart, and so kind and compassionate, who accepted everyone for who they were, and someone who knew how to do just about anything and everything and more for everyone, get sick? It was Betty who we all ran to for help, to listen or to just feel good. Well…together with family and friends, pets, and even strangers, (who instantly became friends), we all rallied around Betty and ran to her and held her up every day. She knew what it felt like to be loved so deeply by so many! Your prayers, smiles, kind words, cards, phone calls, visits, food, fundraisers, and love filled her heart every day and kept her going. We were all blessed to know Betty by her presence and the way she all made us all feel. Together we took one day at a time, lived in the moment, and cherished every TIME spent together. Through it all, Betty was full of positivity, hope and a will to live each day to the fullest. Her inspiration and legacy will live on forever. Family suggests memorial contributions in Betty’s name to Cure PSP 1216 Broadway 2nd Floor New York, New York 10001 .Friends may call at the FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME 356 W. AURORA RD (ST RT 82) SAGAMORE HILLS FOR A OUTDOOR DRIVE THROUGH VISITATION MONDAY 3:00- 7:00PM (PLEASE DO NOT EXIT YOUR CAR) Family and friends are asked to gather Tuesday at Church of the Resurrection 32001 Cannon Rd. Solon, OH for a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Betty’s life at 11:00AM To allow all who loved Betty to grieve together a live stream of her Mass will be available at http://webcast.funeralvue.com/
ELIZABETH J. “BETTY” HORNIK (Nee LoPorto)
