Betty Jane Visnic Bauer, 90, of Weirton, WV, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Liza’s Place in Wheeling, WV.
She was born December 20, 1934 to the late George and Doris Visnic.
Betty was a devout member of the Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church in Steubenville, Ohio, where she was a Sunday School teacher for 30 years and served as an Assistant Church School Superintendent for 6 years. She worked as the Municipal Deputy Court Clerk for the city of Weirton for 20 years and then moved on to become the first Woman Magistrate of Hancock County on January 1, 1989, serving for 24 years after being re-elected for 6 full terms. During this time she also served as Chief Magistrate for several years.
Betty was a member of the Governor’s Advisory Board under Governor Jay Rockefeller, a former instructor at Hancock-Brook Mental Health for DUI offenders and was an authorized NSC defense driving course instructor. She was a member and Past Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #147 in Weirton, chartered member of NuPhi Mu Sorority and Gamma Lota Chapter and a lifetime member of Beta Sigma Phi. Betty was also a member of the National Rifle Association and a National Rifle instructor, as well as a member of the Magistrates Association and the American Judges Association.
In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her son, George Michael Bauer. Betty is survived by her daughter Billie D. Potenzini (Bauer) and her husband Larry of Steubenville; three grandchildren, Nicholas Potenzini and his wife Michelle of Canton, OH, Meya Cook and her husband Rob of Bloomingdale, OH and Michael Bauer; four great-grand children, Arianna Fowler, Ryker Cook and Luca and Nina Potenzini and her great friends from Woodland Hills, Shelly, Debbie and Sara.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the owner and staff at Woodland Hills Assisted Living Facility in Weirton for all of their compassion and care they gave to Betty for the 4.5 years she lived there. They would also like to thank Valley Hospice for the comfort they provided Betty and her family.
Not only was Betty a pillar in her community and gave back when she could, she continued her generosity by donating her body to the Human Gift Registry at WVU School of Medicine.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hancock County Humane Society or to Jefferson County Humane Society in www.tmcfunding.com.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com.