Betty Antoinette Pietrzyk

Betty Antoinette Pietrzyk (née Martinovic) was born on April 8th 1927 in Berwyn, IL to Gustav and Rose Martinovic. Her family immigrated from what was then Czechoslovakia. Betty was the second oldest of ten children, brothers Gust, Jerry, Frank, Charles "Chuck," and Bobby, and sisters Millie Miller, Lydia Hrasinski, Shirley Martin, and Marian Wilkinson.

Betty married the love of her life, Edward Joseph "Pete" Pietrzyk in 1954. They had three beloved children and a large extended family. In her later days, when their children were grown, Betty and Pete enjoyed going to the Stickney Golden Ager activities including plays, state fairs in Illinois and neighboring states, Bohemian restaurants, and dance halls. They were very devoted to their grandchildren, babysitting for 13 years and doting on them throughout their lives.

Betty will be fondly remembered by her children, Charlene Theresa Monroy (Guillermo), Arlene Catherine Inserra (Thomas), and Edward Allen (Tracy); her grandchildren Guillermo, Charee, and Arlee Monroy, and Edward "Eddy" Pietrzyk (Lindsey); great-grandchildren Nora and Dylan Pietrzyk; her surviving siblings Marian and Chuck; nieces and nephews: Frankie, Debbie, and Chuckie Martinovic, Barbara, Linda, and Frankie Hrasinski, Tommy, Paulie, and Laura Miller, Marie Raleigh, and Linda and Peggy Rank; as well as many dear friends.

Betty attended Haley Grammar School in Stickney, IL and graduated from Morton East High School in 1945. She made many close, lasting friendships in high school that extended into her golden years. She and her high school friends continued to meet over the decades in gatherings fondly referred to as “the club.” Growing up, Betty and her siblings would walk to the Cermak pool to swim and to the local theater to take in the newest film. As the oldest sister, she would regularly welcome her younger siblings to join in her social plans and outings like going to the beach.

Betty was an active participant in Sokol, a society promoting physical fitness and Czech culture. One of her memories of that time was a trip to Soldier Field to perform a gymnastics routine with hundreds of other Sokol club members. Betty enjoyed bowling and competed in various bowling leagues for many years. Her fondness for bowling was shared by her late husband and they enjoyed many years of bowling together.

Betty worked as a keypunch operator at various companies including Thor, IBM, MacNeal Hospital, and Motorola. Legend has it she could proudly type 200 words per minute, a skill she put to regular use as an unofficial secretary helping her husband type up reports for his long-standing role as a township trustee. Betty's equally important job was that of a mother to her three children. As her husband proclaimed, she was the "best cook ever," her signature dishes included oxtail soup, sauerkraut, breaded pork-tenderloin, and chop suey. Betty enjoyed being outdoors, including fishing trips to Wisconsin and the Ozarks with her husband and children where they would enjoy fried sunfish at the end of a long day on the lake. She kept a tidy and organized home, and a personal point of pride was her children's neatly pressed and starched clothing.

In her later days, Betty enjoyed gardening, as well as walks around the neighborhood. There was nothing better than a quick cup of black coffee with homemade pecan crescent cookies after a long day, especially while enjoying the night’s episodes of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Betty's investment in her grandchildren never wavered. She doted on them in childhood and continued to support their interests and dreams throughout their lives.

Her presence will be greatly missed.

In parting, Betty would like you to remember that if you can’t stand the show your family has on TV, kindly remind them they can always change the channel.

A visitation will occur Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 9:00 AM at Mount Auburn Funeral Home, 4101 South Oak Park Ave, Stickney, IL 60402. A funeral service for Betty will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 4300 S Oak Park Ave, Stickney, IL 60402. A graveside service will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 7201 Archer Rd. Justice, IL 60458.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MountAuburnFuneralHome.com for the Pietrzyk family.