Elizabeth Mcclain

Mary E. (Betty) McClain, 91, formerly of Morgantown, passed away on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017 in Indianapolis, IN.

Betty was born in Brooklyn, NY, on August 1, 1925, daughter of the late Stanley W. and Bertha Kenly Schmitt of Ridgewood, NJ. She began taking art lessons at the age of 9 and advanced through several painting instructors by the time she was ready for college. She attended Ohio University and graduated from Penn State University in English and Fine Arts. In 1975, she earned her Masters in Printmaking from West Virginia University.

Betty maintained her studio for portrait painting and other artwork for over 50 years in Pittsburgh, Warren, PA, and Morgantown, exhibiting regularly in museums, galleries, and universities. She was a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh since 1954, and in addition to exhibiting in juried professional exhibitions throughout the US, had seven invitation one-person exhibitions. She was also a certified forensic facial reconstruction artist and a police composite artist and a past member of International Forensic Artists. She also published essays in the Christian Science Monitor and Spiritual Life.

Betty was also active in civic life, she initiated and helped to implement the Warren Art Center. In Morgantown, she served on the Beautification Commission and the Riverfront Taskforce before becoming Main Street Morgantown Project Manager from 1985 until 1990. In 1991, she was elected to Morgantown City Council where she served until 2001, and participated on the Morgantown Parking Authority and the Historic Landmarks Commission which placed the entire downtown on the National Historic Register, for which she designed the plaques.

She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Morgantown Service league, and Monongalia Arts Center board, active member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church where she was on parish council and served as president of the Serra Club, and member of the DAR.

Her husband, Richard R. McClain, former Vice President of Baker & Coombs, preceded her in death in 1980. She is survived by four sons and spouses: Richard and Ann of Knoxville, TN, William and Galina, of Milford, CT, Robert and Nikki, of Falls Church, VA, and John and Alison, of Sharon, MA and two daughters and spouses: Dyan and Gene Huey, of Indianapolis, IN and Mary and Dave Neely of Morgantown, WV. Survived also by 17 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren as well as a brother, Stanley W Schmitt and Gerry of Charlotte, NC.

Friends will be received at the Fred L Jenkins Funeral Home on Monday, April 17 from 4-7 pm; and at St Mary Roman Catholic Church in Star City, WV, on Tuesday, April 18, from 11 a.m. until the 1 pm Mass of Christian Burial with the Rev. Fr. John V. DiBacco as celebrant. Burial will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Garden.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 3334B University Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505.

Condolences: fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com