Obituaries

Bettie was a member of the Ypsilanti Moose.  She retired from Meijer after 20 years as a meat wrapper.  Throughout her life Bettie found herself in the position of single mom working many hours to provide for her family.  Always the nurturer she cared for aging parents as well her own children.

Bettie enjoyed all types of sports especially Tiger babseball, Michigan football and Detroit Red Wing Hockey.  Most people knew better than to call her and interrupt the viewing of these favorites!  During her life she was an avid bowler, birdwatcher and master knitter. In years past Bettie loved to go fishing at East Tawas with her parents and her husband, Steve.  While living in Tucson, AZ Bettie spent time at the local casinos where she loved to play the slot machines.

Fall canning and jelly making was a huge part of Bettie's life.  It didn't matter how she was feeling there was still a burining desire to provide for her family by preserving nature's harvest. Whenever you would visit there was always a batch of cookies in the oven and a pot of coffee on the counter.  Christmas baking was a family tradition and something that her family will continue doing with Bettie's recipes.. 

Bettie was determined not to let this monster "cancer" interfere with the things she loved most.  Bettie cherished each moment that she could spend with her beloved granddaughters, Ashleigh, Alyssa and Alaina.  On March 1st, Ashleigh presented Bettie with a great grandson, Ethan Scott Shelton, who was born in Lakenheath AFB, England.  Pictures of the Ethan arrived via email so that Gramma Bettie was able to see the new baby.  He brought a big smile to her face and helped her to sleep in peace.  Nothing ever stopped Bettie from being the sweet loving grandmother, mother, sister and friend that she was!  She always had a positive attitude and a smile for you no matter how hard life became for her.  Bettie was a brave and courageous lady and her will to live was so strong even though just taking a breath was most difficult for her.  Surrounded by her family, Bettie, slept peacefully as her soul's journey to God's loving arms began.

Bettie is survived by her daughter Amy (Scott) Santoni of Brighton, Grandchildren Ashleigh (Jeremy) Shelton of Lakenheath AFB, England, Alyssa and Alaina Varney of Brighton, Great Grandson Ethan Scott Shelton of Lakenheath AFB, England, Sister Bertie (John) Hubbard of Dexter, special niece Carole (Kurt) Augustine of Dexter, special nephew John (Norma) Hubbard, Jr. of Whitmore Lake and great nephews and nieces Jimmy, Nate & Mandy Knapp of Dexter, Samantha Augustine of Dexter, Brianna and John Hubbard III of Whitmore Lake.  Bettie was blessed that her family included Marie Ward and Tony Varney.  Not to be excluded is her precious puppy "Sassy" who brought comfort and love to her life.  Bettie was estranged from daughters Lisa Price & Rebecca Caddell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lincoln & Florence Carter and her husband, Steve Ward Jr.

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on they fly?

When you ask "how are you"? do you hear the reply?

When the day is done do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores

running through your head?  You'd better slow down don't dance so fast.

Time is short.  The music won't last.  Ever told your child we'll do it

tomorrow?  And in your haste, not see his sorrow?  Ever lost touch, let a

good friendship die?  Cause you never had time to call and say "HI".  You'd

better slow down don't dance so fast.  Time is short.  The music won't last...

When you run so fast to get somewhere you miss half the fun of getting

there.  When you worry and hurry through your day, its like an unopened

gift...thrown away.  Life is not a race.  Do take it slower.  Hear the music

before the song is over.

--This is a poem written by a teenager with cancer