Betty R. Foreman

Betty Ruth Foreman left this world for her Heavenly home on November 20, 2021, at age 91. Betty was born to Carl and Helen Lay on February 15, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio. She was the youngest of their four children. Her older siblings were Norman, Robert and Florence (Kopfmann) Lay. Florence was her sister and best friend. They were known in their family as "Toots" and "Pep". Betty was given her nickname, "Pep" by her father, she said, because she was a happy, busy little girl, who rarely sat still! Betty graduated from Whitney Technical School in Toledo, specializing in Secretarial Skills. Betty married Fredric Foreman on September 16, 1950. In the early years of their marriage, with Fred in service of the United States Navy. While Fred served, they lived on base for a time at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Betty enjoyed employing her secretarial skills while Fred was in service. The couple later moved back to Toledo and began their family with their son, Mark, born in March 1960. Mark was their only child, and was beloved by them both. Betty was a great lady in the truest sense of the word. She had a wry sense of humor, and was even joking with family members in her last days. She enjoyed keeping her home and everything in it neat, tidy, clean, labeled and organized! Betty also loved watching sports, especially Golf and Football - her favorites were Tiger Woods and "her" Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Betty wasn't watching sports, FOX NEWS was her choice of TV entertainment. Betty was generous with others, but although the "things" she had were of high quality, she indulged herself very little, and really appreciated the simple things in life. She would rather have a single carnation than a large bouquet of expensive flowers. A favorite lunch of hers consisted of a hotdog, french fries and a milkshake at the famous Toledo landmark restaurant, Rudy's Hotdogs. She liked Russell Stovers candy and Hostess Snowballs. She made the best deviled eggs at holiday time, and her brownies were often requested as well. Before retiring, Betty was a secretary in Toledo, OH, for Libbey Glass and Owens Corning. When a move brought their family to Holland, MI in the late '70's, Betty also worked for Bohn Aluminum as secretary and office manager. She and Fred both enjoyed raising Mark and were big followers of his sporting events throughout his growing up years. They enjoyed summers traveling to different lakes in Michigan where they boated, often in the company of best friends who also had a boat. When Betty and Fred retired, they moved to Sarasota, FL, where they spent many happy years in the Sunshine State being close to her brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Grace Lay, as well as many good friends. They were crazy about and were so proud of their grandsons, Logan and Jordan. When illness hit Fred, they returned to Michigan for his last few years. Once he passed, in 1995, Betty lived in Sarasota again. There she made many friends both through her beloved church home, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and a coffee clutch which met once a week at a local McDonald's for lunch and Bingo. Approximately 11 years ago when her sister, Florence needed her help, Betty returned to live in Sylvania, OH for the remainder of her time here on earth. We will greatly miss this special mother and person in our lives, but rejoice with the Angels that she is now in the Promised Land in the presence of her Savior forever. Betty is survived by her son Mark (Doreen) Foreman of Cadillac, MI, her grandsons Logan Foreman (Kalamazoo, MI) and Jordan Foreman (San Diego, CA), her nephew, David (Carol) Kopfman (Sylvania, OH), nieces, Lori (Tom) Golembeski, (Sarasota, FL), Karen (Mark) Metcalfe (Phoenix, AZ), Nancy (Charlie) Krahmer (Freeport, IL), nephew, Ron (Margaret) Lay (Bloomington, IL) and beloved friends. At her request, no memorial service will be held. Memorial Donations may be made to Promedica Hospice at the link below.