Betty Lou Gannon

Gannon, Betty Lou, 94, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2024, in Holland, Michigan. Betty was born in Chariton, Iowa in 1929 to Ernest and Velda (Lockridge) Haltom. In 1940, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan where Betty attended Winterhalter Middle School and graduated from Commerce High School in 1947. Betty loved reading, especially history and mystery. Later in life, she became a devoted Harry Potter fan. During high school, she met her future husband, Philip W. Gannon. After graduation and into her early marriage, Betty was an Executive Assistant at Ford Motor Company.

Betty and Phil wed in 1953 after he returned from his Army Air Corps service and having started college. They had three daughters, Patricia Hasty (Randall), Pamela Gannon (deceased 2015), and Susan Rushcamp (James). Betty and Phil were married 50 years until his passing in 2004.

Betty was a devoted wife and mother. She volunteered for decades with March of Dimes, in all the girls’ classrooms, and for many school functions over the years. In her 50’s, she returned to school and became a bookkeeper until her retirement. In the last decade of her life, Parkinson’s slowly diminished her physical capabilities, but not her spirit. She continued to enjoy her family near and far. Betty loved her fellow residents for nine years at Generations in Gilbert, Arizona and at her new home at Quincy Place in Holland, Michigan.

Betty is survived by her sister, Carolyn Moore; several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her daughters Patricia and Susan, grandchildren Kelly Vruggink (Rushcamp), Katie Veltkamp (Rushcamp), Stephen Hasty (Lee Ann), David Hasty (Madeleine), and Emily Hasty. Betty was delighted by all her great-grandchildren; Eli and Eden Vruggink and Hazel, Griffin, and Fritz Hasty (David). Visitation followed by a brief service to be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10:30 am. At the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Muhammad Ali Parkinson’s Center, Barrow Neurological Foundation, 2910 N. 3rd Avenue, Suite 450, Phoenix, AZ 85013, in recognition of their outstanding care of Betty for over a decade.