Betty Marie Lambert

Born on June 27, 1928, Betty grew up in New Lexington, Ohio during the Great Depression and World War II—times that shaped her lifelong resilience, compassion, and work ethic. Even as a young girl, she helped support her family by babysitting and cleaning houses, and when she was a teenager, she worked at the local confectionery serving ice cream, sandwiches, and sodas. She hoped to follow her three oldest brothers into military service—including the eldest, John, the first in Perry County declared missing in action during World War II. To ease her mother’s worries though, she took a job as a telephone operator for Ohio Bell after high school.

When Betty was 21 years old, she married Carl “Snap” Lambert, Jr., the great love of her life and husband of 67 years. Together, they founded Lambert Sheet Metal, Inc., the business they co-owned and operated for nearly five decades. Betty was a quiet force behind the success of their family business, managing the company’s bookkeeping—all while raising two daughters and maintaining a steadfast, loving home. Tirelessly devoted, she balanced work and family life with grace, never seeking attention for herself but ensuring that everything and everyone around her thrived.

Outside of work and homemaking, Betty was an avid gardener. She tended vibrant flowerbeds and bountiful vegetable plots, filling shelves and freezers with the fruits of her labors. She loved family dinners, card games, Ohio State football, and—later in life—painting. After her daughters were grown, she and Snap enjoyed traveling together, often driving around the country for business and stopping at their favorite casinos for a game of slots along the way.

Betty was the beloved mother of Debbie Zekrioui and Sandy (Don) Adam; grandmother of Alisha Zekrioui (deceased) and Angela (Jimmy) Thomas; great-grandmother of Cooper Thomas; sister-in-law to Cynthia (Tommy) Stemen; aunt to countless nieces and nephews; and friend to many. She was preceded in death by her husband, Snap; parents Alta Belle and Isaac Stemen; brothers John, Floyd (Marjorie), Raymond (Pauline), Charles “Bo”, and Tommy Stemen; and brother-in-law, Donald (Marty) Lambert.

As Snap often said, “Betty is the hardest-working person I’ve ever met.” She was a strong woman: pure of heart, full of humor, and with a spirit to persevere through any difficulty. Her legacy of dedication, quiet faith, and love will continue to inspire all who knew her.

A memorial service celebrating Betty’s life will be held at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230, on November 13th at 1:00 PM. Family will receive guests prior to service from 11:00 AM- 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Mifflin Cemetery. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception immediately following at Barrel & Boar, 121 Mill Street, Gahanna, Ohio 43230.