Mrs. Bette J. Kwiatkowski

Mrs. Bette J. Kwiatkowski, age 72. Loving wife of Robert R. Dear mother of Joseph(Renee), Robert (Berdetta), Barbara (Gary) Schroeder, Judith, Philip (Candace), Laurie (Karl) Cook, and the late Marianne Ostafinski. Mother-in-law to Paul Ostafinski. Also 23 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. Dear sister of Mary Ellen Constantine and the late Earle Davis. She was a beloved aunt. Visitation Sunday 4-8:00PM, Moose Lodge service 6:30PM, Monday 2-8:00PM, Scripture Service 7:00PM,at Resurrection Funeral Home 40800 Hayes (s. of 18 mi) and Tuesday 8:00AM until time of mass 9:00AM at St Ephrem Catholic Community (17 Mile & Dodge Park). Burial at Resurrection Cemetery.

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Mrs. Bette J. Kwiatkowski who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Bette was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Bette knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Her parents were Earle and Josephine Davis. Bette was raised in Detroit, Michigan. Even as a youngster, Bette learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Bette was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Bette was raised with two siblings. She had a brother, Earle(Buster) , and a sister, Mary Ellen. Bette had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Bette, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

Bette's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Bette enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. She was a Campfire Girl.

In school, Bette was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. She sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of her classes. She would eagerly complete her homework, and often put in extra study time when she felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Bette was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Bette’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was business class.

Bette was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Bette was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Bette came to expect her high standards of performance. While growing up, some of her best friends were Trinie and Carol. Later in life, she became friends with Phyllis.

An objective and conscientious individual, Bette reveled in the security of her family. On January 13, 1962 Bette exchanged wedding vows with Robert Richard Kwiatkowski at the St. Ephrem Catholic Church of Sterling Heights, Michigan. One of Bette’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Bette was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Bette would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Bette was blessed with seven children, three sons, Joseph, Robert, and Philip, and four daughters, Marianne, Barbara, Judith, and Laurie. They were also blessed with 23 grandchildren, Jonathon, Michael, Alan, Shawn, Nichole, Gary Jr., Jennifer, Danielle, Kristin, Josh, Katrina, Shawn, Adam, Bryant, Ashley, Megan, Justin, Brandon, Brooke, Jordan, Karl, Kali, and Kayla. She also has 10 great grandchildren, Ezekiel, Zachery, Logan, Morgan, Jacob, Kailey, Kelly, Kaide, Kayden, and Conley,.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Bette was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Bette was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Bette upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was an office manager. She was employed for 22 years for La Casta Builders. Bette was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Bette approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were scrapbooking and ceramics. Bette was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Being generous with her time and energy, Bette liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. Throughout her later years, Bette was an active member of the Lioness Club and the Moose Lodge.

Faith was important to Bette. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member of St. Ephrem Catholic Church for 48 years. During that time, she was a Catechism Teacher.

As someone who placed a high value on showing gratitude, Bette could graciously accept a “thank you” extended to her by those she helped. However, individual recognition wasn’t a motivating force for Bette; rather, when she saw that there was a need to get something done, she was more than willing to give her time and energy in order to see it accomplished. Some of her most prestigious awards included various Sterling Heights Lioness Awards, Ladies of the Moose Awards from Mt. Clemens and Rochester.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Bette used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Bette had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Florida and Chicago.

Bette was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Bette’s favorites was Spunky, a German Shepard. They were best friends for 13 years.

Bette passed away on November 4, 2010 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. She is survived by her husband Robert, six children, Joseph, Robert, Barbara, Judith, Philip, and Laurie; and 23 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 7, 4-8 p.m. And Mon. Nov. 8, 2-8p.m. at Resurrection Funeral Home 40800 Hayes 9so. of 18 Mile Rd.), Clinton Township, MI., until time of Funeral Service on Tues. Nov. 9, instate at 8a.m., with a 9a.m. Mass at St. Ephrem Catholic Church on 17 Mile/Dodge Park in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Bette wil be laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton Township, Michigan.

All who knew her would agree that Bette was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Mrs. Bette J. Kwiatkowski did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.