Dorcas “Betty” (Haun) Willet
Dorcas Betty Willet, age 103, formerly of East Main Street, Shelby, died Monday August 22, 2011 at Shelby Pointe Nursing Home.
She was born November 15, 1907 in Rome, Ohio the daughter of the late Harry D. and Jetta (Ferrell) Haun. She was a 1925 graduate of Shiloh High School and attended Ashland College and Wittenberg University. She taught at Purchase School, a one room school house in Bloominggrove Township, for one year and also at Henrietta grade school in Lorain County. After raising her family, she was a proofreader at GAF Business Forms in Shelby, retiring in 1972. Her hobbies included an interest in Henry VIII (going to great lengths in educating herself on his life) and collecting hatpins. In 2005 she was interviewed by the News Journal about her impressive and extensive hatpin collection (long ornamental pins for fastening women’s hats to their hair). Although, hatpins are not much in vogue anymore, her hatpin collection was a pleasant trip down memory lane. When asked what the most liberating thing was for women, her reply was, Wearing pants – We’re freer.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Shelby and Circle #1 at the church, Eastern Star Rizpah Chapter 153, Tuesday Afternoon Bridge Club, and Business and Professional Women’s Club.
Betty is survived by her 2 daughters: Shirley Heller of Eukiah, CA and Mary Lou Olsen of Marietta, GA; 6 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlo G. Willet in 1970 and by 2 brothers, Roscoe and Orville Haun.
Friends may call on Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 AM by Rev. Thomas Snyder. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Shiloh. Memorial expressions may be made to the church. On-line condolences
penwellturner.com
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Family: Dorcas Willett
Name: Frank Long
Date: 11-08-24
Condolence:
Hi Shirley and Mary Lou. Many fond memories of your mother.
She was the family historian. Often think of your father also.
Best regards to you both – Frank and Jan Long.
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Family: Mary Lou Olsen and Shirley Heller
Name: Mark Heller
Date: 11-08-24
Condolence:
Dear Aunt Mary Lou and Mother Shirley. I am saddened to see Grandma go as I now take a minute to reflect upon her long and wonderful life. What she gave us, she gave us long ago. From her trip to Guatemala to visit me to her trusting me to let me take her around town on may motorcycle at age 80. She could be brave. We watched her work hard, enjoy hobbies, engage in her community, be nice to people and have alittle humor about it along the way. A pretty great role model. I'm proud of her and also proud to be part of her family linage. Dear aunt Mary Lou and Mom Shirley, Please be comforted to know that from all of the family members, I can say that you two were both good and loving children to my grandmother.
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Family: Dorcas “Betty” Willett
Name: Sonia Harrer Hull Dyer
Date: 11-08-25
Condolence:
My Dear Mary Lou and Shirley, I have often thought of you both and wondered where you were. I had no idea your mother was still alive. My Mom turned 100 a year ago in Feb. and passed in Mar. Our Mom's lived good long lives! I so remember your Mother and your family living on Park Ave., across the street from us. Please put your arms around yourselves and give yourselves a hug from me! I will never forget you or your parents! With love, Sonia
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Family: Dorcus Willett
Name: Betty Jardine
Date: 11-08-26
Condolence:
To: Shirley Heller, Mark Heller and family, Mary Lou (sorry, don’t know last name) and Juli Swan:
I only met Betty once, but remembered, strangely enought, her name. It was during one of the family weddings….long ago. She was a kind lady and interesting to talk to. I remember how difficult it was for Shirley to make a trip from Ukiah to Shelby….not exactly Los Angeles-New York. I also remember Mark goin cross country on his motorcycle and stopping to see his grandmother. I always thought that was pretty neat.
Have yet to figure out why God keeps us beyond our comfort zone. May she rest in peace….my condolences and a kiss to each of you.
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Family: Dorcas Willet
Name: Cheryl Black
Date: 11-08-27
Condolence:
How much I loved every minute spent with my Great Aunt Betty! We chared a love of genealogy…searching libraries, records, and cemeteries for clues to the Willetts of Cass Township, Richland County.
She was spunky, determined,and loving. One of my best memories is her reciting from memory Eugene Fields’ poem “Little Orphan Annie,” which Aunt Betty would relate with scary inflections and intonations…well into her 90’s!
And what a hostess, sharing her many fruit pies, elderberry in particular. Our family enjoyed so many lovely desserts with coffee on her back porch. She would tell the best stories about her husband, Pete, and my dad, Ken Black. Oh, my, could those4 two get into trouble! She loved them so…and missed them terribly.
Aunt Betty will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew her. I loved her with all of my heart. I can imagine her smiling now, reunited with Pete and Kenny and all those she loved who went before…
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Family: Betty Willet
Name: Sylvia LeClair
Date: 11-08-29
Condolence:
I remained in touch with your Mom all through the years. She had such a kind style about her. An angel on earth as I am sure she now is in heaven. Love, Sylvia LeClair
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Family: Dorcas Betty Willet
Name: Tom & Daine Metzger & Family
Date: 11-08-30
Condolence:
We would like to express our sincere sympathy to the family.
Betty lived a wonderful, long life & was loved by many.
We got to know her personally many years ago when she chose
Finnegan Construction Company to do work at her house & she just
stole our hearts. After that, she invited our three girls to
tea parties & treated them so special & you knew she dearly loved them. She would show us her hat pin & her chicken collections & her school readers; & Betty had so many wonderful, interesting stories about her past, about history, about her classes & teaching habits, etc. One could sit & listen all day & marvel at a life well lived & a life well loved.
She had so much to teach the world! If we could all live by her wonderful examples & her true friendships & good deeds…
the world would indeed be a better & happier place.
Yes, she is gone & will be missed so much, but I am sure she is
happily smiling down on all of us in Jesus' loving arms.
Bye, Betty, we love you & will see you again someday! Please live on in all of us