After nearly 101 years on earth Betty Jean Gaynor dreamed her way into heaven on Friday morning, May 13, 2022 while sleeping in her own bed, in her own home, in Winter Haven, Florida. She danced into the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ, and then to those of her husband, Chuck, who died in 1991, and her daughter, Kathy, who died in 2008. Betty’s motto was “Laughter is life!” and she exhibited that motto whenever she could bringing joy to all who knew her. Betty Jean (Ward) was born to her parents, Hattie and Almon Ward, on July 25, 1921, in Muskegon Michigan. She graduated from Muskegon High School in 1939. She married Charles Gaynor in Muskegon Michigan in 1945 and together lived a life full of faith, family, and friends for 45 years. Betty worked as a secretary for a grocery store and then a neurosurgeon in Muskegon where she raised a family while working to help support them. She and Chuck moved to Winter Haven Florida in 1978 when Chuck retired, enjoying life in Winter Haven Manufactured Home Retirement Community. She cared for Chuck for six years after he suffered a stroke in 1985 until his death in 1991. Betty was a key member of the park’s social scene helping entertain many in Central Florida with the park’s Kitchen Band. She helped organize dozens of events in the park and loved visits from friends and relatives even to her final days. Betty was an active member at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Winter Haven including being a member of the Home Visitation Team to bring the Eucharist to the homebound. She managed to stay in her home until her death because of the extraordinary and constant care of her oldest daughter, Gay Gaynor, a retired nurse. Betty celebrated her 100th birthday in Montague Michigan with a party attended by 100 people near the shore of Lake Michigan where she spent her summers over the past 10 years at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Wendy and Dave Sipka. She was preceded in death by her parents Hattie and Almon Ward, her husband, Charles, and her daughter, Kathy. Betty is survived by her daughters Gay Gaynor of Winter Haven FL, and Wendy (David) Sipka of Montague MI, Jan Parisian of Muskegon MI, and a son, Michael (Terre) Gaynor of Coopersville MI. Also surviving her are her grandsons Kris (Stacy) Gaynor, Kevin (June) Gaynor, and Kelly (Liz) Gaynor and step-grandsons Matthew Vogt and Michael (Melissa) Vogt. Betty also is survived by great-grandchildren Jacob Gaynor, Connor Gaynor, Lily Gaynor, and Kandys Larson/William Graham, Cadance Vogt, and Keldon Vogt. Betty’s funeral occurred on Thursday, May 19 at St. Joseph’s Church, Winter Haven FL with committal in Glen Abbey Cemetery in Auburndale FL. Contributions in her memory can be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, St. Joseph Catholic School in Winter Haven, FL or St James Catholic Church in Montague, MI.
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