Elizabeth Mary Farhat

Elizabeth "Betty" Mary Farhat, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, left us peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2025, at the age of 94. Betty was born on March 22, 1930, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Walter and Elsie (Graumann) Russell. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Edward, her dear son, Gary, and her brother, Robert Russell.

Betty's life was one of dedication, love, and adventure. She and her late husband, Edward Farhat, shared a deep, enduring bond. They met as students at Wayne State University in Detroit and married on December 29, 1951. Together, they built a warm and loving home, creating many cherished memories.

Betty's legacy lives on through her children, Susan (Bill) Bresler, Janet (Mike) Leck, and David (Cheryl) Farhat, as well as her late son Gary (Shelly). Her grandchildren—Amanda (Brad), Kimberlee (Jimmy), Matthew (Meaghan), Anne (Andy), Bobby (Emily), Nicholas, Ryan, Ben (Samantha), Zac (Jamie), Emily (Jimmy), Jessica, Davey, and Brendan—were her pride and joy. Betty was a hands on grandma who had unique connections with each grandchild sharing with them her love of reading, theater, dance, sports, pinochle, cooking, and baking. She was also a doting great-grandmother to Ethan, Henry, Harper, Alice, Harrison, Evelyn, Jack, Isaac, Jameson, Amelia, August, Kennedy, and Owen.

A lifelong lover of books and knowledge, Betty spent her professional life as a librarian, starting as a library page in Detroit in the 1940s. Betty studied sociology at Wayne State. She earned her Masters of Library Science degree from University of Michigan in 1967. She spent her post Masters library career in Livonia, most notably at the Livonia Civic Center Library, where she oversaw implementation of the first electronic library card catalog in Michigan. After she retired in 1997 she continued to share her passion for reading and helping others as an integral part of her community. A longtime parishioner at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, Betty’s faith and volunteer work there and with Seedlings Braille Books and Livonia Historical Society were a source of great joy. Most recently, with her 2017 move to Rose Senior Living she continued to volunteer there, making rosaries for hospitals, school children and even missionaries around the world and helped establish a lending library at Rose.

Betty had an adventurous spirit, always eager to explore new places. Whether it was family trips up north, travels to Asia and Europe, or trips with the St. Kenneth Travel Group, she approached the world with a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm, satisfying her love for travel in her retirement years. Betty also had a love for quilting, sewing, knitting, and crocheting creating beautiful handmade treasures for her children and grandchildren. Betty was a skilled baker and cook – we already miss her famous chocolate chip ‘Grandma’ cookies.

Betty's kindness, generosity, and zest for life touched everyone who knew her. She was a devoted mother, a loving grandmother, and a friend to many. Her legacy of love, learning, and community service will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all those she touched throughout her life.

Betty’s family will receive visitors on Monday, February 10, 2025 from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a Rosary Service at 7pm at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152.

A Funeral Mass will take place at 11:45 am on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth, Michigan 48170, with a Funeral Luncheon following the Mass from 1:00 pm until 2:30 in the St. Kenneth Community Center. Visitation will take place at the church at 11am.

A burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Southfield.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may consider contributions in Betty’s memory to Angela Hospice, or to the Salvation Army.