Elizabeth "Betty" Parker

Betty Leary Parker was born March 28, 1915, in Detroit, MI, to Charles and Olive Leary.  She was one of six children.  She had three brothers, James, David, and William Leary, and two sisters, June Mitchell and Jinny Paddock.  While growing up, Betty resided in both Michigan and Florida.  Some of her memories growing up were the Great Depression and living in Florida.  Betty attended high school in Hastings, MI.  While in school she enjoyed playing tennis and progressed to the State Finals. 

In 1940 Betty married Harold Parker of Hastings after attending a U of M football game.  She remembered that the person who married them was a relative of the famous Wright Brothers.  She did not recall a honeymoon trip, but remembered how she and Harold met at a Hastings Country Club Dance.  Harold died January 6, 1978.
 
Betty and Harold had three children, Tim (Lynn), Chuck (Connie) and Gail Parker.  She had five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Before her retirement, Betty was a professional secretary (the result of which no one ever challenged her when playing Scrabble). She last worked at Waverly Schools.  Her hobbies included drawing, lighthouses, reading, golf, and watching people.  She thoroughly enjoyed people, cooking for people, and had a gift of friendship.  Her family, friends, and acquaintances will miss her greatly. 
 
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 3, 2011, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Ingham County medical Care Facility or the charity of one’s choice.

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2 Messages to “Elizabeth "Betty" Parker

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Kris Paddock Khan
September 21, 2011 at 5:05 pm

Although I am glad that Aunt Betty lived a long and full life, I am so sad to learn of her passing. Some of my happiest childhood memories are from times when my family was visiting the Parker’s family. It was at Aunt Betty’s table that I learned to play the family card game “Hell,” and to eat home cooking that was delicious. And it was at numerous little rented cottages in northern Michigan that my family relaxed and vacationed as guests of the Parkers, playing Hell for hours on end it seemed. My mother adored her. Aunt Betty was a lovely woman who could make any person feel that they were the most important person on earth, and that the party couldn’t really start until he or she had arrived. She certainly made me feel special and loved whenever I was in her presence. I will treasure her memory.

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Nicholas Conger
January 7, 2015 at 12:54 am

To the family of Betty Parker, did this Betty Leary attend Miss Wrights School in a Bryn Mawr, Pa around 1932? I am looking for current and former classmates of my mother, age 100.

My respects for your mother and may she rest in peace.

Nick

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