Elizabeth Marie Michels

Elizabeth “Betty” Marie Armstrong Michels, age 99, died peacefully in her home in McLean on Sunday, September 27, 2026. She was married for 64 years to her beloved husband, Franklin P. Michels, who preceded her in death in 2015.

Betty was born on April 19, 1927, in Marquette, Michigan, where she grew up before moving to New York City to pursue a career as a fashion model. She later moved to Chicago, where she met Franklin, and in 1960 they moved to McLean, Virginia, where they lived on Lorraine Avenue in Franklin Forest for 50 years. Betty and Franklin built a fulfilling life together centered around family, faith, community service, and travel. They enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to visit many parts of the world, most notably the Holy Land, Russia, Eastern Africa, Egypt, and Greece.

While raising five wonderful children, Betty was a Girl Scout leader at St. John's Catholic Church in McLean and generously devoted her time to serving others. She volunteered with the Falls Church and McLean Children's Center, Hope in Northern Virginia, and Virginia Hospital Center (formerly Arlington Hospital), where she volunteered for 30 years in the hospital gift shop.

Betty was devoted to her family and her faith and treasured the relationships she built throughout her life. She had a special gift for staying connected with family and friends, never forgetting a birthday and frequently keeping in touch through phone calls, letters, and cards. She enjoyed bringing people together, and she was someone her family and friends could always count on.

She was the loving mother of Franklin Michels Jr. (Sara), Brian Michels (the late Garth Elizabeth), Stephen Michels, the late Mary Doscotch (the late Gerald), and Ann Benson (Samuel). She was also blessed with twelve wonderful grandchildren, and ten loving great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Murphy's Funeral Home, 1102 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, VA 22101 with a reception for family and friends to celebrate Betty's life to follow. Betty will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Franklin, at Quantico National Cemetery in Triangle, VA, on October 13 at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty's memory to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington (200 N Glebe Rd #250, Arlington, VA 22203), Hope in Northern Virginia (7297 Route 29, Suite L, Falls Church, Virginia 22042), or Falls Church McLean Children's Center (7230 Idylwood Rd, Falls Church, VA 22043).