Betty Jean McPhee

Betty Jean McPhee of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and formerly, Port Huron, Michigan was born September 21, 1927 in Port Huron and is preceded in death by her parents, Sylvia (Nugent) Chisholm and Darrell Chisholm, sisters Wanda Collins-Boughner, Marjorie (Robert) Greene, and by her husband Floyd Henry Hess McPhee who passed on September 10, 2005. She is survived by sons James McPhee of Oklahoma City, and Thomas (Betsy) McPhee of Scottsdale, AZ, grandson Andrew (Andrea) McPhee, granddaughters Laura (Jim) Swan, Lisa McPhee, Diana McPhee, great grandson Henry James Swan, brother James (Joyce) Chisholm, many beloved nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and many dear cousins and friends.

Betty was a graduate of Port Huron High School where she made friendships that lasted her entire life. She and Floyd were married October 31, 1947 in Port Huron Michigan at Grace Episcopal Church. She worked for twenty five years as office manager for Dr. Elmore Shoudy’s family and emergency care practice in Port Huron. Upon retirement, she and Floyd enjoyed travelling and spending time with their children and grandchildren in Minnesota, Texas, and Arizona. Betty loved gardening and could grow anything, with a special fondness for gladiolas, parrot tulips, hyacinths, roses and rhododendrons. After her retirement she was known as a talented china painting artist, becoming a member of the World Order of China Painters, and leaves behind many wonderful examples of her beautifully creative work. She was a member of the Episcopal Church Women, the Seabury Club, and the Women’s Wellness Board of Saint Clair County, Michigan.

Throughout her life, Betty deeply cared for others in need and was a special confidant for anyone needing uplifting counsel. She was often sought out for her positive solutions to difficult personal issues, and she leaves behind many admirers and grateful friends. Betty, you believed in the best of outcomes, always the optimist, and you loved everything that is good and best in this world. With your gardens you brought fantastic beauty into our physical world, and with your caring example, you brought spiritual beauty to this life. Go now and stand in light before the Lord.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 10 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Oklahoma City. Memorials may be made to Shriners Children Hospitals, SmileTrain.org, and Bridge Builders Counseling, 1220 6th Street, Port Huron, MI 48060.

Memorial services at Grace Episcopal Church in Port Huron, Michigan will be announced at a later date, with interment beside her husband at Grace Church columbarium.