Forever in our hearts! September 30, 1926 – January 21, 2024
Betty was born on Fischer Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. When Betty was 13, her family moved to Utica. Betty attended Utica High School and graduated in 1943. While in high school, she met the love of her life, Jess Bennett. After high school , she attended Michigan State University. When Jess enlisted in the Army Air Corps, they married on June 3rd, 1945. Following the war, Betty and Jess moved back to Utica and raised three children. As a homemaker and mother, she became involved in PTA, room mothers, cub scouts, etc., and so began her lifetime of community involvement. After her youngest child reached elementary school, she took a job with the Utica Community Schools starting at Eppler Junior High School as the school secretary.
In 1969, Betty and Jess bought “Hi-Banks” on the Manistee River in Grayling, Michigan. Betty moved to Grayling in 1973. She joined the American Business Women’s Association, would become president of the chapter and was selected as their “Woman of the Year”. She was a member of the Red Hats and joined the Grayling Promotional Association in 1984. She was active in GPA until her stroke in May of 2023. She was also a member of the AuSable Artisan Village in downtown Grayling. Betty worked at several different places including secretarial stints at Michaywe in Gaylord, Lakewood Forest Products on Four Mile Road, WQON FM as office manager, and finally found her way to the Treasurer’s Office at the Crawford County Courthouse. After 17 years, she retired at the age of 75. In 1984, her husband Jess died after 49 years of marriage.
Betty loved Grayling and was blessed with many friends. She believed in community service. For 10 years, Betty co-chaired the Grayling Fourth of July parade, working diligently throughout the year to acquire multiple marching bands and other state-wide entries. Betty was selected Citizen of the Year in 1999.
Betty is survived by her three children, Jini (Wayne) Hindmarsh, Michael (Vicki) Bennett and Lori Robertson , six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren,, and one great-great-grandchild.
