Betty Jane Bolton

Betty Jane Bolton passed away on July 19, 2019 surrounded by her entire family at Munson Hospice House; she was 92. In 1926, Betty was born to Philip and Effa (Baatz) Payment who raised her in Empire. After graduating from high school, she attended the Toledo Business School and trained in technology. Betty found work in her field as a key punch operator and earned employment at notable Traverse City technology companies such as Parts Corp., Parson’s Corp., and Balfour-Stulen. She worked in that industry for the next 20 years.

When her daughter was young, Betty was a Girl Scout leader and, upon leaving the workforce, Betty found time to volunteer her time with the Empire Heritage Museum and Northern Michigan College’s annual barbecue. She was a very active member of St. Philip Neri’s Catholic Church who had a love of gardening, home canning and entertaining family and friends. An incredible cook, whose German potato salad was only one of her many talents, Betty could sing and also loved to dance. Her beautiful voice could be heard gracing weddings, funerals and church events and she was one of the charter members of the Downbeat Dance Club in Traverse City.

Betty would mourn the loss of her husband, Donald Auwarter; siblings Max Payment and Gerry Brunet and her parents. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Robert) Weissblatt; grandchildren, Paul Weissblatt and Maryl (Remko) van Hoek and great-grandchildren, Dylan and Jason van Hoek. She will also be fondly remembered by several nieces and nephews, as well as, her Mississippi relatives.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire on Friday, July 26 at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Services will be followed by inurnment at the church cemetery and a reception for all to attend.

Memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s honor to Traverse City Hospice and Glen Lake Fire and Rescue.