Betty Jean (Bly) Vail
Betty Jean Vail passed away on January 7, 2018 at the age of 91 after a recent battle with cancer.
She was born on May 4, 1926 to Ralph and Madeline (Artz) Bly. She was a lifelong resident of Shelby, a truly devoted and unselfish member of that community which she loved so much. She volunteered with the Red Cross and at Shelby Hospital where she donated more than 12,000 hours of her time over a period of 45 years. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, always baking pies for events. Betty was the recipient of the Jesse Rath Volunteer Service Award in 2010.
She was a devoted wife and mother, dedicated to her family. While she loved her home and caring for it, she also loved to travel with friends and to visit her children and grandchildren. Betty loved nature in all its splendor; birds, rocks, ferns, trees, anything wood and fall foliage.
She is survived by her three children: Franz Vail (and wife Janet) of Sanbornton, NH, Eric (and wife Dianne) Vail of Shelby, OH and Deborah Vail (and husband Harry Leblanc) of Zionville, NC; seven grandchildren Arika Vail (and husband Jason Peters), Gunnar Babcock, Brooke Babcock, Samuel Kelley-Vail (and wife Lindsey), Julia Kelley-Vail, Tessa Nayowith, Hannah Nayowith; and one great grandchild, Jack Vail. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Marianne Gates.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, H.J. “Jack” Vail along with her sister Vivian McKinney and her parents Ralph and Madeline Bly.
Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from 4-7 pm at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Friday at 10:30 am. Rev. James MacDonald will officiate and burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church.
To share a memory or express a condolence, please visit: penwellturner.com
Debbie and family of Betty. So very sorry for the loss of your Mother. She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed. Worked with Betty at the hospital. So much fun.
Eric and family, so sorry for your list. I met Betty when u worked at MedCentral Shelby hospital 2002-2009. She was a sweety. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Eric, Dianne, Arika, Jack & the Vail family – So sorry for the loss of your beautiful, Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you through this time of sorrow.
Eric, Dianne, Arika, Jack and all the Vail Family:
We were deeply saddened to hear of your loss
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
May the comfort of family and friends help to get you through this difficult time
Eric and family, So sorry to hear about your mother. Thoughts and prayers with you. Joe and Terri DeVito
Words fail, but love never fails. Praying that love will abound as you celebrate your sweet mom…what a beautiful legacy she has left for us all.
With Love and Prayers for Betty and Jack
Eric, Franz and all the Vail family. I was sorrowed to hear of your mom’s passing. I had hoped she would survive this. She was a wonderful human being and it always brightened Phyllis’s and my day when we would encounter her in our everyday lives. She always seemed much younger to me than she was and I suspect that was due to her wonderful attitude and good nature. I will miss her. God Bless. Wanted to be there tonight but came down with a terrible crud that’s going around now.
Eric and Diane very sorry to hear about your loss. God bless you all.
Eric and Dianne and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you all.