Name: Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home
Address: Winter Haven, FL

Betty was Winter Haven Council of Garden Club Ground Chairman for several years. She was at the Garden Center many mornings before most of us were "out of bed". I asked her one day if her daughter knew she was at the Garden Center so early. She said, "No, and you better not tell her!" Shortly after that conversation, large chains, and locks were put on all three gates to the Garden Center for her safety!

Betty was always positive about her illness until the end. I always thought she recognized me even the last time I saw her - the day before she passed away!

When Margaret, Jean, Micki and I visited Betty, we could not leave without CHOCOLATE CANDY! She always had at least three dishes with different chocolate candy in each dish. She would get a zip lock bag and put as much as you would let her in each bag to carry home.

One day, Betty had her care giver, Barbara, cook chicken and dumplings for us. Another time, Deborah and Allison had us over for a full course meal and showed us the sonogram of Betty's great granddaughter, Kate. Other times, Betty would serve us pie that Deborah or Allison had made. We could never "out give" Betty!

Friendship is about sharing. The five of us: Betty, Margaret, Jean, Micki and I shared enough memories to last a lifetime.

When Betty was almost finished with her radiation treatments, the nurse told her she would be given a ceiling tile to paint. The tile would be placed in the ceiling in the radiation room. Betty told the nurse she did not want one because she would not know what to do with it.  Jean told her to get on - she had to have one! We didn't know what we would put on it. I mentioned it to my daughter, Martha. She reminded me her son-in-law, Matt, had just won a pumpkin carving contest, and he could draw very well!

Matt, my grandson-in-law said he could draw but he did not paint! His wife, Marilee, bought the paint and helped him paint. I had Matt draw beautiful flowers and a butterfly because Betty was chairman of the Butterfly Garden at the Garden Center and was responsible for the Garden being so beautiful.

Betty cried when we took it to her and she kept the tile at her house for a week or two before taking it to Moffitt.

Betty was a dear friend and I miss her. I will always remembr her!

The minute we met "Nanny" we fell in love with her.  She welcomed my niece into her family with open arms.  When we first met her we felt like we had known her forever. We enjoyed spending time with her when we visited Allison and Bill.  Now her and my Dad are in heaven sharing gardening stories and recipes.  She was a true lady!

Memories of Betty will always be of a gracious, kind, loving  friend.  Betty was a giver, a helper, a "servant" to others in the best sense of the word---like God wants us to serve others.  She is and will be greatly missed by me, her friends in Bouquet, and her wonderful Family.  Even the Angels wept, but now she is walking in the Gardens with her Lord!
   Thanks for always caring, Betty. and your Love!
 
 Margaret McGowan

Betty was always interested in what you had to say and what was going on in your life.  She was such a good listener, and made you feel like the most important person.  I will always remember her smile and how pretty she was in her little pink hat!  Linda Finkler(Winter Haven, FL)

Betty was a lovely, sensitive person who went out of her way to support others. When Hal was in the operating room at Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville for another of his knee surgeries, she called me to let us know that she was concerned about us both and that we were in her prayers. That call meant so much.

A few years ago several of us went to EPCOT as representatives of Bouquet to make sure that visitors to the Flower Festival did not touch or damage the floral designs on display. The flowers in a group of arrangements were partly submerged in water in their vases.  They were so unique that the visitors wanted to touch them. It was a challange and great fun to encourage the guests in a nice way "not" to touch as some were quite persistent. Betty handled it as she did everything in life with humor, tact and great aplomb!  How blessed you were to have such a beautiful and courageous Mother and Grandmother!  I will always remember her beautiful smile, kindness and charm. She is an Angel with the Lord now.

I am very grateful to have been able to have Betty for my friend. We met in Bouquet Garden Club and my life was enriched because of all her wonderful qualities. She was so loving, generous, giving, kind, energetic, hard-working, and full of fun. None of us could keep up with her in all the many activities she did through the garden club. There will be a big empty spot in Bouquet, but it will be filled with all the wonderful memories of our very special Betty!  .

First of all, I will always remember Betty for her friendliness and sweet smile.  She was the best greeter Bouquet Garden Club ever had because she was so welcoming. She never met a stranger and  she had a way of making people feel special .  Betty was such a charmer that people couldn't tell her no; she was the best recruiter for our Silent Auction of any member and when she sold 50/50 tickets, she always sold the most. Betty was an outstanding gardener and spent many hours making the Garden Center grounds beautiful.  Every life she touched was enhanced; she was a beautiful person, both inside and out.  I will greatly miss her.  Becky Reeves

OBITUARY

Betty Reighard

28 April, 1930 – 14 January, 2014

Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home

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