Betty Jo Macyauski

Betty Jo Drewry Macyauski passed peacefully with her family at her side January 18, 2025 at the age of 95, having lived a wonderful life full of adventure, joy, and love. Betty was born in Memphis July 26, 1929 to Willard and Pauline Drewry. She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years Anton (Tony) Macyauski, in 2001. She was also predeceased by her Brothers Bill and Bob. She is survived her children Michael Drewry Macyauski (Beth), John Paul Macyauski, Mary L Taylor (William); grandchildren, Robert Casey Macyauski (Melissa), James Drewry Macyauski (Carmen), Lauren Michelle Laurence (Jacob), William Joseph Macyauski, Deanna Marie Macyauski, Nichole Leigh Macyauski, John Matthew Macyauski, as well as 7 great grandchildren; her sister Beverly Arwood, and many nieces and nephews.

Betty graduated Central High School, and attended Memphis State University, forming friendships that lasted through her entire life. In 1950, her desire to see the world led her to take a position with Special Services under command of the U.S. Air Force as a recreation assistant, helping run overseas service clubs for the soldiers, sailors, and airmen deployed around the world. With her high energy, organizational skills, and ever-present smile, over the next 6 years she progressed to program director, and ultimately service club director at many locations around the world. Her stops included the Philippines, South Korea, Germany, and France. After having only been home for a few short visits in over 6 years, Betty decided to return home and start her next phase of life.

She met the love of her life and married Tony on a hot July day in 1956. They moved to Wisconsin where Tony worked for the Milwaukee Railroad. Children quickly followed. Betty became the quintessential homemaker for the next 20 plus years as the family moved with Tony’s jobs in the railroad, and later U.S. Government. She became and remained forever her children’s biggest supporter and cheerleader in all their endeavors and life challenges. They lived many years in Maryland and Virginia, before moving to Memphis, when Tony became disabled from Multiple Sclerosis. Betty’s next chapter of life was first and foremost, Tony’s primary caregiver for 23 years until his passing in 2001. Being back home in Memphis allowed much support from the extended family.

Still a very young 72, Betty’s next phase of life found her embracing the role of grandmother more than ever. Her Christmas musical productions leading her grandchildren in song and dance, her scary Halloween costumes, loading the kids in her Lincoln to shop for treats at the dollar store, made life long memories for her many grandchildren. She embraced her love of dance and continued tap dancing into her eighties with her many good friends in the High Steppers dance group. She continued international travel, ocean cruises and beach vacations well into her 80’s. She found one more chapter of her life to write when she discovered the Forever Young Veterans organization, which supports Dream Trips for War Veterans. She served as a volunteer and enthusiastic supporter until her health would no longer allow.

Betty truly had a life well lived, full of love for family, friends, and adventure. The family wishes to thank the residents and staff at Town Village and more recently Belmont Village for the friendship, love and care provided the past several years.

There will be a visitation Monday, January 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30 AM at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 8151 Chimneyrock Boulevard Cordova, TN.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Forever Young Veterans, Collierville, TN or the charity of donor’s choice.