Betty Jean Pribich

Betty J. Pribich, 103, of Whispering Pines, NC, formerly of Elyria and Massillon, passed away on September 20, 2026 at FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care in Pinehurst, NC.

She was born on July 31, 1923 to the late Rev. Alvin E. and Myrtle A. (Beery) McVey in Lancaster, OH. Due to her Father's ministerial assignments, she had a familiar connection with most small towns in Ohio, making it easy to make friends wherever she lived with her daughter.

Betty graduated from Elyria High School and began her career working in retail shoe stores in Elyria where she met her future husband Duke. They were married in Bucyrus in 1950. Her father, the Reverend McVey, performed the ceremony. Betty and Duke shared 46 years of love and companionship until his death in 1996 in Massillon OH. After his death, Betty retired at the age of 75 in 1997, and moved to be with her daughter, Nicki, who was serving in The United States Army. Betty adapted well to moving with the Army, and after living in Virginia, California, and Georgia, they settled in North Carolina upon Nicki’s retirement. Betty epitomized the definition of an extrovert, gaining her energy from being with people. On her 100th birthday, Betty was celebrated by over 100 friends and family, and was honored by having “Betty Pribich Day” declared in Whispering Pines, NC. Betty enjoyed reading and traveling. She and Duke were fortunate to visit Italy, Yugoslavia, Germany, and her dream destinations of Greece and Israel. She was an avid sports fan, and had impressive knowledge of college and professional football teams, especially The Massillon Tigers. Betty led an active church life and faithfully supported the Southern Pines United Methodist Church for the past 15 years in North Carolina.

Betty is survived by her children, Nicola Pribich, Major, US Army (Retired) and Dan Pribich; grandchildren Erin Preston, step grandchildren; Casie Savage-Smith, and Cary Newman; and, step great-grandchild Dylan Savage. Betty was blessed with many loving nieces and nephews who maintained close relationships with her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dan "Duke" Pribich; and her brothers Earl McVey, Robert McVey, and Ralph McVey, and infant brother Alvin Jr; sisters Dorothy Warren, and infant sisters Ruth and Mary McVey.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 5, 2026 from 12:30 pm - 1:30pm at Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home, Massillon, Ohio, with a funeral service to start at 1:30 pm. A private burial will take place in Massillon Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southern Pines United Methodist Church, 175 Midland Rd, Southern Pines, NC 28387 or St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, 4667 Applegrove ST NW, North Canton 44720.

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