Margaret B. "Bette" Brennan

Margaret Beatrice Brennan (née Phelan), affectionately known throughout her life as “Bette,” passed away in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she had resided near her daughter Stacy McBride and son-in-law Jack since 2021. She was surrounded by her loving and devoted family who had the gift of being present throughout her final days. 

Born on April 14, 1929, in Minersville, Pennsylvania, Bette was the cherished daughter of William Martin Phelan and Laura (Nevils) Phelan. Her father adored her from the moment she was born, and she was truly the apple of his eye. She grew up in the family home on Lewis Street—a house built by her father where she would go on to live for 92 years.

It was her captivating deep brown eyes and irresistible smile that caught the attention of the boy who lived next door to her relatives, Joseph A. Brennan. They could often be found at the Globe dances and the Coney Island afterwards for their favorite Coney burgers.   The two were married on September 27, 1952, beginning a devoted, loving partnership that spanned 58 years until Joe’s passing in 2011. Together, they raised six children in her childhood home on Lewis Street.  She is survived by her six children: Dr. PJ (Ann) Brennan of Havertown, PA; Sheila Connor of Bryn Mawr, PA; Erin (Terry) Bartley of Lewes, DE; Moira Brennan; Stacy (Jack) McBride of Spartanburg, SC; and Sean Brennan of Washington, D.C.; as well as 15 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bette attended Minersville High School, graduating with High Honors in the Class of 1947, where she was an active member of the Eleusinia yearbook staff and the Thespian Society. Following high school, she pursued her passion for helping others by attending the Misericordia Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, earning her nursing degree in 1949.

Bette dedicated 43 years of her life to caring for others as a nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville, working first in medical-surgical care, followed by 3 decades in the Emergency Department, and the Oncology Clinic before finishing her career in occupational health. Always eager to serve, she also trained as a Paramedic, learning to operate the Jaws of Life to deliver critical on-scene emergency care. Her compassion extended far beyond the hospital walls; neighbors and friends frequently called upon her in the middle of the night for medical advice and quiet reassurance. After retiring, she founded the “Oldies,” a social group for hospital retirees who missed the fast-paced camaraderie of healthcare., a

A woman of profound faith and conviction, Bette lived the Beatitudes and firmly believed that "to those whom much is given, much is expected." She was a lifelong, active member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish (now St. Michael the Archangel of Holy Family Parish), serving as a lector, head of the parents' group at the parish school that she attended as did her children and President of the Parish Sodality, where she fostered a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother through May Processions and community events. She was deeply committed to advocacy, serving as a longtime board member for the Pottsville Agency for persons with intellectual disabilities, the Minersville Library Board and St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning Board, where she and her beloved Husband, Joe, organized annual golf tournaments and other fundraising activities. Bette and her daughter Moira were constant companions - together they learned Ceili dancing with the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) and danced in St. Patrick’s Day parades and other events.

Bette was also an ardent political watchdog and champion for civic engagement. Her early love for politics began as a young girl, sleeping in the back of her parents' Chrysler sedan while they waited for the local votes to be counted during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first re-election campaign.  Throughout her life, she remained active in local Democratic politics, serving as a poll watcher and campaign manager for her husband’s successful bids for Borough Council.

Above all, Bette cherished her family. She delighted in making holidays magical, decorating elaborately for every occasion and cooking grand meals for loved ones to enjoy. Her Holiday Sweater collection was legendary.  On Christmas Eves, she could often be found meeting the final delivery truck at Pomeroy’s department store to secure the last missing gift on her children's wish lists. She was a willing co-pilot for Joe’s spontaneous Sunday adventures, packing picnic dinners for eight at a moment's notice for trips to Knoebels Grove or the Bicentennial celebrations. In her later years, "Grammy" was the ultimate supporter of her grandchildren, attending countless sporting events and traveling with Joe, including frequent trips to South Bend as a passionate Notre Dame football fan. Her home was always filled with warmth, love, and the irresistible scent of her famous roast beef dinners and homemade Christmas coffee cakes.

Bette was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph; her parents, Laura and William; her older brother, John Murphy; and her younger brother, William Phelan.

Services will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Holy Family Parish, 538 Sunbury St., Minersville, PA on Saturday, August 15, 2026 beginning with a Visitation in the Church from 9-10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM.  Internment will follow immediately at Calvary Cemetery in Pottsville, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Center for Special Learning, online at stjosephctr.networkforgood.com, 302 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, PA  17972

And also,

Memorial donations can be made to the Bette Brennan, RN Memorial Award for Emergency Nursing. To donate by mail, please make checks payable to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, including "Bette Brennan, RN Memorial Award" on memo line, and send to Penn Medicine Development Attn: Allyse Orsini, 3535 Market St. Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Donations can also be made by calling 267-788-0975 or visiting http://giving.apps.upenn.edu and searching ‘Bette Brennan’.

Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.

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