Betty Andree

With a smile that could brighten even the darkest of days, Betty was a true gift in the lives of those around her. She was a kindhearted and thoughtful woman who made a significant impact in the community she called home throughout most of her life. Betty was a devoted mother who fully embraced this role, but she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was the very best part. Although she was well accomplished in her career, she was a graceful and humble woman whose greatest source of pride and joy was found in the generations who follow her. Life will be forever changed without Betty here, but her memory will remain near and dear to the hearts of many. The year 1929 is often remembered as the year that the devastating crash of the stock market sent our nation spiraling downward into the depths of the Great Depression. The years that followed were laced with hardship in every city and town across America with an unemployment rate that soared to over 25 percent and a harsh drought that gripped our nations agricultural industry for nearly three years. It was just prior to the fateful crash that a young family from Muskegon, Michigan, was thrilled to welcome the birth a healthy baby girl on April 13th of that same year. Betty Ann was one of two children born to her parents, Lawrence and Vera (Harrison) Durand, and was joined in her family by her older brother, Jim. Her parents divorced when Betty was just a young girl, but her mother soon remarried a man named Martin Pastori who was a wonderful stepfather to Betty and her brother. As a teen Betty moved with her family to the Detroit area where they lived in Belle Isle. It was there that she learned to ice skate, developing a passion for the sport that would remain with her for the rest of her life. It wasnt too long before their family moved back to Muskegon. As a student at local schools, Betty graduated from Muskegon Heights High School. From there she continued her education at the Muskegon School of Business. Life was forever changed for Betty when she met the young man with whom she would write a love story that spanned nearly 40 years. His name was William Andree, and he was one of her brothers friends. The couple was smitten with each other and soon began dating. With a desire to build a life together Betty and Bill were united in marriage on June 16, 1950, in the parsonage of the Berean Church in Muskegon. A few years later the couple was delighted to become parents with the birth of their son, Richard, in 1954. With the birth of their daughter, Dori, in 1959, their family of four was complete. From the moment she became a mother Betty fully embraced the enormity of the task as she loved nothing more than nurturing her children and caring for her family. Her skills in the kitchen were unmatched, and she also loved entertaining. The Andree family settled in North Muskegon where they became very active in the community. Bettys husband served as the Treasurer for Muskegon County and was also the mayor of North Muskegon in addition to holding down various other positions of service to their community over the years. In addition to tending to the needs of her home and family, Betty also enjoyed many additional interests. For a number of years she sold Vivian Woodard Cosmetics out of her home, which was a great fit for Betty since she was such a natural beauty. She continued to ice skate often and was a member of the Family Ice Skating Club of Muskegon. Betty also loved to golf and was a member of the Elks, which gave her the opportunity to play many rounds of golf on their course. She was a gifted artist who liked to paint in both oil and watercolor. Later in life Betty became a successful realtor for Westdale and Tex Moore for 15 years before officially retiring. Later in life Betty faced both peaks and valleys along her journey. She was deeply saddened with Bills death in 1987. Although the days, weeks, and months that followed were a challenge for her, Betty remained strong and independent, finding it helpful to keep busy. She became active in the local Widows Together group and became very involved at Samuel Lutheran Church where she served on the board and volunteered in various ministries. Betty was also on the church bowling league and had numerous friends at church. Betty treasured the love of her family, especially during her sunset years. She maintained close relationships with her children and was thrilled to become a grandmother who looked forward to spending time with her grandchildren as often as she could. For the past 20 years Betty had a wonderful friendship with Robert Morse. They enjoyed each others company and spent much time together, frequently traveling all over the country. Betty took great pride in her North Muskegon home and was overjoyed to remain living there with the help of her family and in-home caretakers. Through the life she lived each day, Betty Andree reminds us that there is nothing of greater importance than treating each new day as a gift to be spent loving those around us. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and dear friend whose bubbly personality and warm smile were deeply cherished. Betty will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Betty A. Andree died on Thursday, October 4, 2012. Bettys family includes her son, Richard (Deborah) Andree of Twin Lake; daughter, Dori (Donald) Andersen of N. Muskegon; grandchildren, Adam (Shawn) Andree, Chad Andersen, Staci (Mario) Florez, Joe Stanton, Lloyd Andersen; great grandchildren, Katie, John, Samantha, Shane; special friend and companion, Robert Morse. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, William in 1987, brother James Durand also in 1987, and two step-grandchildren, Christopher Andersen and Mark Andersen. Services will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 11:00 a.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Samuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Marcy Miller officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Samuel Lutheran Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. Arrangements provided by Clock Life Story- Muskegon.