Betty Jean Szymanski

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the best mom in the world. Our mom was called to heaven to celebrate her 79th birthday with dad, Chet, her parents, Nort and Thelma Knapp, and brother, Norty, on Friday, January 11, 2013. She passed away surrounded by love. Mom was born on January 11, 1934. She was a proud graduate of Woodward High School, class of 1952. Mom loved attending her class reunions including their 60th last year and always enjoyed her monthly luncheons with the Woodward gals. She continued to meet with them up until last month. Mom worked at LaSalles department store while attending the University of Toledo. She graduated in 1956 and she and dad were married on August 4th that same year. They shared 54 wonderful years together until his passing in October of 2010. Although mom obtained her teaching degree, she found greater purpose in staying home with her 4 daughters. Mom was very active at Whittier School with PTA, room mother, girl scouts, and school carnivals. Dad and grandma and grandpa Knapp got in on the fun, too. Homemade cabbage rolls and sloppy joes were 2 carnival meals prepared for hundreds in our kitchen. Once we were grown, mom went to work at Cherry Preschool as a teachers aide, retiring in the early 1980s. Mom and dads love, support, and encouragement spilled over to their grandchildren while attending sporting events, musicals, and grandparents day at their school. Whether it was their first day of kindergarten or college, a typical day or special occasion, they wanted to hear about it. Throughout the years mom and dad enjoyed many day and overnight trips with Taylor Tours, and blessed us with annual family vacations at various Michigan lake resorts. Mom was also preceded in death by 2 son-in-laws, Brian Lehman and Bill Servis. Left to treasure moms memories are daughters, Sherry Servis, LuAnn George Simcox, Bonnie Jerry Ervin, and Cathy Lehman; grandchildren, Jackie Jason McCarty, Ryan Villhauer, Kate and Jen Simcox, Michael and Christopher Ervin, Emily Wes Amerson, Bailey Kyle Myers, and Will Lehman; great-grandchildren, Tiffany, Jaslyn, and Faith McCarty, Nathan and Daniel Amerson; brother, Gary, and sister-in-law, Nancy Knapp Cousins. A special thank you to Tom and Barb Haydock for well, everything. Also, thank you to Nicole and Ruth from Hospice of NWO for their care and compassion shown to mom and her family. Friends may visit Monday, January 14th from 2 to 8 pm at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 West Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd., and on Tuesday, January 15th after 10:30 am where funeral services will follow at 12 noon. Pastor David Claaussen will be officiating. The family requests donations be made to Hospice of NWO or the Make a Wish Foundation. Mom, you have always been a steadfast and loving matriarch for our family and by the grace of God we will carry on.