Beth Maureen Echtinaw

Beth Maureen Echtinaw, 92, of Rochester Hills passed away at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 18, while in hospice care at daughter, Maureen’s, home. She is survived by Maureen Springer (Jeff), Ralph, Wayne (Julie), 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Beth was born Jan. 6, 1932, in the Hazel Park home of parents Howard and Hazel Weting. She was the youngest of three children, having 2 brothers: Ralph Weting (Rita), and Lawrence Weting (Lucy). Ralph died during World War II, but Lawrence lived to be 92 and died in 2018.

Beth graduated from Hazel Park High School in 1950 and went to work. She met Raymond H. Echtinaw in 1954 and married him on May 7, 1955. They built a house in Rochester Hills (then Avon Township) and began having children in 1957 when Maureen was born. Ralph followed in 1959 and Wayne in 1961.

Wayne had a twin sister, Gail, who was underdeveloped and died two days after being born. But good things can come from bad things, and Gail’s death inspired Beth to become a foster mother. Over the 21 years she mothered 28 foster children. Beth stayed home and raised the kids while Raymond worked for General Motors.

After the kids were grown, Beth enrolled in college and earned an LPN nursing degree. She then worked as a nurse at Pontiac General for many years.

Beth was famous in the family for being selfless. When she went to garage sales she bought things for other people, rarely herself.

Beth and Ray welcomed Wayne and Ralph back home at various times when their fortunes flagged. But once all three kids were gone for good Beth was the linchpin that held the family together. Her weekly phone conversations with Wayne and Ralph and more frequent conversations with Maureen (who lived nearby) kept the siblings up to date on family news.

Beth soldiered on after the death of Ray in 2009. She stayed in her house and even learned to ride a tractor to cut grass when she was 77. The rest of the family pitched in to help Beth care for the property. Son-in-law Jeff Springer cut the grass and did odd jobs after Beth’s health declined. The rest of the family showed up for field days when they tackled a number of chores at once.

Beth went into hospice care at Maureen and Jeff’s house in May following gall bladder removal that crashed her kidney function. Her health improved enough to where she could carry on conversations and say her goodbyes. Now she is in the presence of Jesus Christ, her Savior.

A private, family memorial service at the First Baptist Church of Rochester is planned. Burial of Beth’s ashes (along with those of husband Ray) at Meade Cemetery in Macomb County will follow.