Betty Wawrzaszek

Betty and her late husband have been involved with Merica House since its founding. Their son, Sean, in one of the original residents. She now serves as a board member and part time fund raiser for Merica House.

Betty spends a lot of time around Merica House because she enjoys helping people. She is particularly involved with her son since he has cerebral palsy and is non-verbal.

Betty says what she likes best about Merica House is that it provides physically disabled adults, especially those coming out of high school, the opportunity to live in a home versus a nursing home. The perpetuity of The Alliance for the Physically Disabled and Merica house is what is most important to Betty. She is eager to see the creation of another similar home.

Betty was born in County Cork, Ireland. She left there at the age of 21 to study and work in Heidelberg, Germany. She met her husband there while he was employed at the U.S Army Headquarters. He was then transfered to the U.S. where their son, Sean, and their daugther, Siobhan, were born in Illinois.

Betty says, “As for myself I take great pleasure in helping other people. I like to read , garden, and socilalze.”