Betty M Van Hart

Celebrating the life of our beloved, outspoken and independent matriarch.

“In one of the stars, I shall be living. In one of them, I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night.”- The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Betty was predeceased by her husband Raymond as well as her children James and Elizabeth. She is survived by daughters Verda (Bill) and Catherine; her sister Jean Thomas and brother Bob Thompson; Son-in-law Lou Elesie; grandchildren Liz (Steve), Butch (Sherry), Tom (Shelley), Heidi (Ken) and Leslie (Hack). In addition, she was adored by 16 great-grandbabies and 3 “Great-Greats”.

One of 6 children, Betty was raised by Josephine and James Thompson in Eaton, Ohio. At the age of 16 she met Raymond. He was in town for training for his position with the Army Map Service. They married when she was 17.

Daughters Verda and Elizabeth “Shorty” were born 13 months apart and the family moved to Washington, DC. It is at this point that Betty began to coin her own words such as the now famous “neckinears” which her children were always wary of keeping clean. Eventually they settled in Falls Church, VA and welcomed James “Jimmy” and Catherine “Katy”.

Betty showed glimpses of her independent nature when she moved her young family, without Raymond, to a larger home. Raymond had refused to move. However, she left him the address and he did eventually move his favorite chair, and himself, to the new abode!

The family made many trips back to visit relatives in Ohio. Apparently, these trips proved too much for the family dog, Gunther, who tried to escape while tied to a roadside cinder block at a rest area.

Verda married Curtis and they also settled in Falls Church. Liz, Butch, Tommy, Heidi and Leslie quickly filled the little house in Pimmit Hills and they then moved to Annandale.

Sunday dinners at Grandma’s house were a regular event. No drinks or elbows on the table!

Betty was a regular fixture at Verda’s home. Helping with laundry and trying to inspire the children to help clean the house for their mother. Only Heidi took the bait, the rest were slobs. Whenever Betty left her Grandchildren’s home, there was always some small child, stowed away in the back seat, eager to “Pend da night” at Grandma’s house.

She was no “Regular” Grandma, at least not yet. Betty took up tap dancing and thrilled her children and grandchildren when she marched in a parade with her group “Strutting her Stuff!”

When she wasn’t dancing she could often be found outside under the full moon. No she wasn’t a vampire. She believed that the moon had the power to fill an empty pocket book, all you had to do was yell, LOUD, “It’s empty, fill it!” And we yelled with her!

The entire family enjoyed vacations at the beach, first at Rehobeth Beach and later, Ocean City, MD. After Raymond’s death, Betty purchased “The DaniKris”, a condo at The Purnell House. The condo, meant to sleep 6, often had more than 12 sleeping on every available flat surface, including the porch! “Always room for one more!”

Betty’s great-grandchildren, in an effort to differentiate their many Grandma’s, dubbed her “Regular Grandma”. “Because she’s the one we see the most, you know, the regular one!” And the name stuck!

And when she grew old? Well, she wore purple, with a red hat…. And we loved her for it!

Those who wish may make contributions in honor of Betty to:

Alzheimer's Association

P.O. Box 96011

Washington, DC 20090-6011