Mary "Betty" Elizabeth Van Order

Betty passed away peacefully on July 9, 2022 in her residence at the Hearth in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Born in Baltimore, Maryland on February 24, 1929, she was the third of four children of Norman A. Habighurst, Sr. and Helen Woods Habighurst. Betty had two older brothers and a younger sister, and attended school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She was a graduate of Notre Dame College.

After graduating, Betty was an elementary school teacher in the Baltimore County school system. While there she met "the most handsome man" she had ever seen hanging a picture in the teacher's lounge. It was love at first sight. Betty thought that he was a handyman hired to work at the school and was thrilled to learn that Frank Van Order was the new teacher. She sang all the way home that day because she had no doubt: he was the ONE. Betty and Frank were happily married for 46 years until his death in 1998.

Betty was a remarkable presence. Family and friends describe her as loving, caring and sharing, always ready with a smile and a warm embrace. She had an amazing capacity to sense when someone needed care, and was always there to offer comfort. Betty was devoted to her family and made a loving, nurturing home for her beloved husband and four children. Betty's greatest joy was being a mother and homemaker. She enjoyed camping with the family in Pennsylvania, herb gardening and woodworking. Betty would make delicious jellies with her own herbs and would take her woodworking creations to craft fairs where they would often sell out.

An avid genealogist, Betty documented a vast amount of family tree data, in some cases dating prior to the 13th century. Betty was passionate about remembering people and acknowledging their lives and family history.

A devout Roman Catholic and active in the Church her entire life, Betty had a particular devoted to the Blessed Mother. She volunteered her time at various churches in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and, in 1983, became the first Pastoral Association at Ascension Parish in Arbutus.

Betty is survived by her much loved children: Mary Suzanne Van Order, Maura Van Order-Clover, Stephen Norman Van Order (Anne) and Andrew Franklin Van Order (Marilyn); cherished grandson Andrew Conrad Van Order; and other family members and many friends.

A Memorial Mass will held at St. Joseph Monastery Church, 3801 Old Frederick Rd., Baltimore, Md 21229 on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 11:00am., Entombment will follow at New Cathedral Cemetery, 4300 Old Frederick Rd., Baltimore, MD 21229.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sterlingashtonschwabwitzke.com for the Van Order family.