O’BETTS Gloria Ann (Freeman) of Grand Rapids age 88 passed away on July 4 2010 at Trillium Woods Hospice in Byron Center. She was born in Grand Rapids on January 5 1922 and graduated from Catholic Central High School. Gloria received her undergraduate degree from Western Mich. University in Speech Pathology and Audiology and earned her masters degree from Mich. State University. Her expansive career as a speech and language therapist included WMU’s Speech Clinic Grand Rapids Public Schools Kent Intermediate School District and the Total Communication program of Northview Public Schools. After retirement Gloria worked with young children in the Head Start program. She was a collaborative author of Teach Your Child to Talk, an instructional guide for parents to enhance their childrens language development. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents Charles M. Freeman Sr. and Mary L. (Brogan) Freeman her brother and sister-in-law Charles M. Freeman Jr. and Helen Freeman and her former husband Francis O’Betts. She is survived by her sister Marilyn (Freeman) Tavalire of Shelby Township MI brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws cousins nieces nephews and her children: MaryLynn (Robert) Gregorski Kentwood James (Judy) OBetts Shawano WI Janice (Joseph) Doyle Grand Rapids Nancy OBetts Grand Rapids and Sally (James) Hawthorne Kalamazoo. Gloria is also survived by her eight loving grandchildren: Mike (Pam) Gregorski Kate (Gregory) Weigand Paul Gregorski (fiance Stacy Mosco), Amy (Michael) Welch Kerry (Cory) Gundlach Ryan (Julie) Vander Roest Sara Vander Roest and SSgt. Daniel J. English (Amanda) and eight great-grandchildren. Gloria celebrated her Irish heritage on St. Patrick’s Day with her vibrant red hair and adornments enjoyed playing piano and sing-a-longs golf trips to Ireland and family gatherings especially Christmas! She was known and will be missed for her remarkable effervescent personality stylish appearance and exceptional pies and jams. Per Gloria’s wishes cremation has taken place. Her family will greet visitors at OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home 3980 Cascade Road S.E. from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. on July 14 with a scripture service at 8:00. A memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated at on July 15 at St. Robert of Newminster 6477 Ada Drive Rev. Leonard Sudlik presiding with visitation one hour before. Glorias family extends their heartfelt appreciation to St. Mary’s 7N Cardiac Care and Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods Sister Ann Michael Farnsworth O.P., and Dorothy Weidenaar M.S.W. A special thanks to her cherished friends neighbors and members of St. Robert’s Peace Hour Group. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods Kids Food Basket or the Senior Citizen Picnic Fund of St. Robert of Newminster Parish. Services provided by OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst.
One Response
It is ten years after Mrs. O’Betts’ passing, but I just came across this page. Perhaps no one will read this; nevertheless I want to give a warm appreciation for her. I was a client of Mrs. O’Betts while attending Stocking Elementary School in Grand Rapids in the 1950s. I had a stutter that was perplexing and frustrating to me and to my family.
I have never forgotten the calm and caring — even loving — attitude that Mrs. O’Betts brought to our sessions. She did help me: explicitly to deal with the speaking difficulties but just as importantly by her implicit acceptance and support. She helped make my childhood bearable.