Mary Elizabeth Free

Mary (Betty) Elizabeth Free, 83, beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and educator passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on July 30th, 2017. Born October 16, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Thomas F. and Frances E. Lenihan. The picture above is Betty climbing Stone Mountain at the age of 70, a very proud moment in her life.

Betty was a para-pro for the Muscogee County School District at Cusseta Rd Elementary, Southern Jr High, Rothschild Jr High, Richards Jr High and Rigdon Road Elementary schools. She retired in 2000 after 25 years of service. She was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the Parish Council of Catholic Women. She served as an Eucharistic Minister at Holy Family for over 30 years. Betty was also an Oblate of the Precious Blood prayer association affiliated with Handmaids of the Precious Blood sharing in nun's charism of praying/sacrificing for priests.

She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands: Claire and Gary Derr, Jeanmarie and Greg Jonston, and Terri and Jim Twitty. Also survived by her four grandchildren: Missy and Abby Derr, Steven Arrick, and Lauren Twitty.

A rosary will be said at 6:00pm followed by visitation until 8:00pm at Striffler-Hamby, 4071 Macon Rd, Columbus, GA on Aug 1, 2017. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 320 12th St, Columbus, GA on August 2, 2017 at 10:00am with Father Dan O’Connell officiating.

Please visit www.shcolumbus.com to leave condolences for Betty’s family.