Alice Jean “Chicken” Cessna, 90, of Gipsy, PA passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the Embassy of Hillsdale Park in Hillsdale, PA.
The daughter of Ford Smith and Jean (Berry) Smith Ellsmore, she was born on April 5, 1933 in Glen Campbell, PA.
Chicken attended school in Glen Campbell until its closure and then earned her high school diploma from Punxsutawney High School in 1951, where she was a member of the Art Club.
She was a longtime member of the Glen Campbell United Methodist Church. More recently, Chicken converted and became a member of the St. John the Baptist Ukranian Orthodox Church in Dixonville, PA.
Chicken wed James “Eagle” Eugene Cessna on April 5, 1958 and they shared almost thirty years of marriage until his death on March 30, 1988.
She worked at various restaurants and hotels in the Washington DC area. Chicken loved to share stories of the many celebrities and politicians that crossed her path. For many years, Chicken was employed as a cook with the Purchase Line School District at the elementary school. She retired as head cook where she loved her “kids” at the school. Post retirement brought us her annual garage sale, where there was never a shortage of hot dogs and sloppy joes.
Very active in her community, Chicken was a lifetime member of the Glen Campbell Legion Auxiliary; a member of the Glen Campbell Fire Department Auxiliary and a co-founder of Hi-Steppers. She was also a member of the Dixonville MOOSE and the Punxsutawney Polka Club. Chicken served many years on the Montgomery Township Election Board.
Chicken is survived by her daughter, Robin (Glenn) Ether; her two grandchildren: Andrew and Lindsay Ether, all of Stoughton, WI; her longtime companion, Harry Betsa of Gipsy, PA and Harry’s family – daughters: Dawn (Denny) Balogh of Indiana, PA; Donna (Alan) Betsa of Indiana, PA and grandchildren: Shana (Josh) Jarvie; Kristopher (Kara) Balogh and their children: Carson, Annabelle and Jackson; Allix (Kevin) Balogh and Mason Maschak and her beloved dog, Mickey Mouse.
Chicken is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Cessna; brother–in-law, Louis Sutton and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Eagle, she was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Philip “Cricket” Ellsmore; her infant brother; two brothers-in-law, Wendell (Giz) Cessna and Wilbur (Dee) Cessna and her sister-in-law, Virginia Sutton.
Family and friends will be received from 2-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd. in Hillsdale, PA. At approximately 4:30 p.m. during the afternoon visitation the Panachida service will take place.
An 11: 00 a.m. funeral service officiated by Father Ihor Protsak will be held at the funeral
home on Monday, December 11, 2023 with burial to follow at the Burnside Cemetery, Burnside, PA.
Chicken’s family extends a special thank you to the staff of Embassy of Hillsdale, PA; Penn Hospice and “Team Chicken.” Thank you for the care and compassion over this past year.
Visit www.rairighfh.com to sign Chicken’s guestbook and share condolences.
