Betty Jean Marlatt

A quiet, gentle, well deserved transition from this life into the next. Betty was born in Berkeley, California, on January 25, 1937, the third child of Abraham and Rose Ganem, both of whom had immigrated from Syria. She and her siblings, Evelyn (Gillespie) and James Ganem, remained close throughout their lives. The family owned a grocery store in Hayward, California, and lived in “the little house behind the store.” Her memories of those times were filled with love, joy, happiness, and fun—a period when aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends lived and worked closely together. Betty treasured the close-knit community of her youth, one that valued caring for one another above all else. Music, dancing, singing, cooking, laughing, eating, and playing cards were the things she remembered most fondly and held closest to her heart.

She graduated from Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, a private all-girls Catholic school, in 1954. When Betty was 18 years old, her father passed away, changing their family life forever. As families do, they came together and supported one another throughout the remainder of their lives. Her mother, Rose, spent many happy years living with Betty and with her sister Evelyn’s family.

After high school, Betty worked as a secretary at a hospital in Oakland and later for the City of Alameda, California. During this time, a friend set her up on a blind date with a man who would become the love of her life, Raymond “Ray” Denny Marlatt, who was then an active-duty seaman in the U.S. Navy. The two married on May 24, 1961, and purchased their first home in San Leandro, California, in 1962. It was in this small, cozy home that they welcomed their son, Scott Clifford, and their daughter, Tracy Rae.

In 1967, Ray accepted a position at the country’s first nuclear power plant in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Betty often shared amusing stories about a West Coast “California girl” moving to Arkansas in the middle of winter—especially with two babies under the age of four in tow. The family later moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, into a little house atop what was locally known as “Chicken Hill,” named for its proximity to nearby poultry farms. For five years, the young family lived, grew, and thrived there before embarking on their next chapter.

In 1972, Ray accepted a position with Black & Veatch Engineering in Kansas City, Missouri, and the family moved to Raytown, where they lived in the same beloved home for more than 50 years.

Betty spent her life ensuring that her family and those she loved were healthy, happy, and well cared for. She kept her Syrian heritage alive by cooking rolled grape leaves, kibbeh, pita bread, and hummus for special occasions—and later much more often, as her family consistently begged for it. These meals were not only a way to share her heritage, but also a way to relive and pass on the joy and sense of community she experienced growing up.

Once her children were grown and Ray retired, the two set off on vast and seemingly endless travels. They journeyed coast to coast in their RV with Ray’s brothers and their wives and explored incredible destinations abroad, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, England, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Zimbabwe—just to name a few. Together, they shared remarkable experiences and saw more of the world than most of us could ever dream.

A social butterfly of the highest order, Betty never met a stranger. Her kind, sweet nature drew people to her, and she welcomed everyone with a warm smile and an open heart. She could strike up a conversation anywhere—from the checkout line at a thrift store to a cruise down the Nile. Throughout her life, Betty was actively involved in her church, the United Methodist Church of Raytown; a health and wellness group called TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly); the Red Hat Society; and various other clubs and organizations. Her involvement with TOPS helped her live a healthier life and introduced her to a community of people who became lifelong friends. She received many honors within the organization and went on to serve as a leader of the Raytown chapter. The group’s love for her was evident in the countless cards and letters she received each year celebrating birthdays, holidays, and life’s little moments. Betty had a gift for making everyone around her feel special—because to her, everyone truly was.

Outside of her many social activities, Betty was an avid bargain hunter. She loved garage and estate sales, thrift stores, and secondhand shops. Her collection of Precious Moments figurines was rivaled only by her jewelry collection. She loved beautiful things and found thoughtful, frugal ways to surround herself with them—from curio cabinets filled with elegant vintage cups and saucers to mantels adorned with art collected from around the world. A novelty wooden spoon rack in the hallway proudly displayed spoons from the many states, countries, and events she and Ray visited, while Ray’s photographs hung carefully beside native art from the places where they were taken. Interspersed throughout the home were cherished family mementos: brass-cast baby shoes, sepia-toned photographs, and a bell from Syria passed down through generations. Every object held a memory. This is what made the house not just comfortable, but a home—a cozy, warm, elegant, and inviting place for her husband, children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends to gather. While Betty loved beautiful collections, she always understood that the simplest things mattered most: family, love, and time together.

Betty was a devoted wife and mother and a loving, caring, joyful, and gracious woman. Always ready for adventures big and small, her greatest joy was simply being with the people she loved.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Abraham Ganem; her sister, Evelyn Gillespie; her brother, James Ganem; and her husband of 64 years, Raymond Marlatt. She is survived by her son, Scott (Lisa) Marlatt; her daughter, Tracy (Brian Swirk) Marlatt; her granddaughters, Erica (Aaron) McClary and Cera (Wesley) Wren; and her great-grandsons, Weston Wren and Alex McClary.

Betty's celebration of life will be held on May 23, 2026 at Floral Hills in Raytown, MO. She and Ray will then be interred together following the service on what would have been the weekend of their 65’th wedding anniversary.

The visitation will be Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens (7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64133).

A memorial service will follow on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens (7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64133).

We will conclude with a graveside service, Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens (7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64133).