Betty Jane Dick

Betty was born in 1929 in Olean, NY, the daughter of John B. Dobmeier, a local grocery store owner, and Ann Appleton Dobmeier, a homemaker. Betty was a child of the Great Depression which made her strong, resilient and always cautious with her money.

A longtime Apex, NC resident, Betty was the widow of Donald F. Dick, her husband of 63 years who died in 2014. Don’s career with IBM took them to several cities across upstate New York and finally to Cary, NC in 1977 when Don was transferred to IBM at Research Triangle. Everywhere they moved, Betty’s outgoing and friendly personality helped them quickly make many new friends and fit right in.

Betty was a woman of many talents. In Olean, she worked as a switchboard operator. She was a skilled seamstress and for many years a piano teacher. She also had quite the green thumb and belonged to the Cary Garden Club. She loved flowers and often served as a judge at flower competitions including the North Carolina State Fair. Most recently, she was a librarian in the Apex branch of the Wake County Library.

Betty and Don loved to play cards and were avid bridge players. After moving to North Carolina they taught classes in how to play bridge.

She and Don were frequent travelers, prior to and long into their retirement, visiting many National Parks, Europe and South America. One of her most memorable trips was a cruise up the Amazon River.

They also spent many weeks each year at their cottage in Sunset Beach, NC where they often hosted their visiting children and grandchildren.

She was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Apex.

Betty had a zest for life and was most happy when she was surrounded by her family to which she was devoted and of which she was so very proud.

Betty is survived by her four children: Debi (Mike) Spain of Schenectady, NY, David (Melissa) Dick of Blowing Rock, NC, Kathy (Beth Jordan) of McKenney, VA and Tim (Kim) Dick of Apex.

Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Jennifer (Jonah Benton) of Brooklyn, NY; Benjamin (Kris Haroldson) of Delmar, NY; Kevin (Aaron Skinner-Spain) of New York City; Madelyn (Ryan Parish) of Portland, OR; Andrew (Chelsea) Spain of Denver, CO; Katie Dick of Rock Hill, SC; Kristie Carter of Deep Gap, NC; Michael (Chrissy) Dick of Blowing Rock, NC; Devin Dick and Ryan Dick of Apex, NC.

Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren as well as her loving sister and brother-in-law, Marje and Al Gates of Massachusetts, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to Don and her parents, Betty was predeceased by her sister, Dorothy (Jake) Berdan and a brother, John Dobmeier.

The family extends special thanks to Crater Community Hospice, 3916 South Crater Road, Petersburg, VA 23805 where memorial contributions may be made in her name. Or a gift may be made to a charity of your choice.

A Funeral Liturgy for Betty will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Apex, 625 Magdala Place, Apex, NC 27502. Inurnment will follow at the Columbarium at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Apex.