Betty Jane Chirveno

She was born November 24, 1925 in Sedalia, MO and grew up in Nevada, MO. She graduated from Nevada High School in 1943 and shortly after moved to Kansas City, MO.

Betty began her life in Kansas City supporting the war effort building B-25 bombers at North American Aviation in Kansas City, KS. After WW2 ended, she worked five years for Loomis Advertising which sold ads on city buses. Shortly after she left Loomis, she met Henry Chirveno through mutual friends. They married several months later. She worked as a secretary for Russell Stover Candy until 1958 when their son Mike was born. She spent the next 18 years as a stay-at-home mom while also keeping the books for Henry’s business, Expert Tree Company. Over the course of their married life, they invested in real estate, owned a drive-in restaurant, owned a gas station, and owned a convenience store. At the end of her work life, she was the Office Manager for ANA Classic Auto Auction.

Betty enjoyed big band music, dancing, and traveling. There were hundreds of stories that originated from their trips with Henry’s cousin Vic and his wife Grace, Betty’s high school friend Norma Bone, and others.

Betty loved her grandchildren Elizabeth and Nick. She prepared food and helped decorate for many birthday parties. When her grandchildren were in high school, she regularly attended recitals, soccer games, volleyball matches and basketball games. Later, when they were married and had their own children, she loved interacting with her nine great-grandchildren.

Betty was fiercely independent. She drove and lived on her own until she was 97 years old. Even after her move to an assisted living facility and eventually to a long-term care facility, it’s pretty likely that every caregiver making a request for something was told at least once, “I’m not going to do that.” But, whenever the caregiver told that story, it was always accompanied with a, “We love Betty.”

Betty was a prolific note writer. Even the smallest gesture was acknowledged with a thank you note. Friends and family members were regularly encouraged with a note. Given the number of blank notes left behind, it seems like it was her intention to keep writing notes of encouragement.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, Frank Swager, her mother May Swager, her brother, Frank Swager, Jr. and her sister, Norma Scheetz. She is survived by her son, Mike Chirveno of Gladstone, MO and his wife Leslie, two grandchildren, Elizabeth Relats of Northport, FL and her husband Michael Relats and Nicholas Chirveno of Liberty, MO and his wife Erin Chirveno, six great-grandchildren and three bonus great-grandchildren. Betty leaves a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and treasured friends. She loved all of them dearly as they loved her. Their bond was strong and to avoid the risk of accidentally leaving someone out, their names are not listed here, but each of you know who you are.

Special thanks go to the staff of Linden Woods Village in both the assisted living facility and the long-term Care facility who provided compassionate and competent care. Thanks also to the caregivers from Ascend Hospice who provided an extra measure of care.

Betty attended Connection Point Church in Raytown until she was no longer able to drive. Since then, their care for her has been encouraging. Each month, one of the deacons has stopped by her care facility for a visit. About 50 years ago, two men from Bethel Baptist Church visited her in her home and shared with her the good news about the sinless life, substitutionary death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

That evening, she placed her trust in Christ as her Savior. She is now experiencing the truth of this Bible verse, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

A visitation will be held at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, located at 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133, on Monday, November 24, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

The Funeral service will follow at the same location from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

A graveside service will take place at Floral Hills Cemetery, also at 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133, from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm on the same day.