Elizabeth Hare
March 18, 1936 - August 20, 2019
Obituary
Elizabeth J. Hare, 83, much-beloved mother, sister, grandmother, teacher and friend, passed peacefully to eternal life surrounded by the grace of God at Cascades Senior Living in Midland, August 20, 2019, after a lengthy illness. Her final days and hours were filled with beautiful music and loving prayers.
The daughter of the late F. Hector and E. Lucille Diffell, Elizabeth was born March 18, 1936. She married the love of her life, Robert D. Hare, on October 19, 1957.
Elizabeth is survived by her son Patrick (Krystol) Hare of Jupiter, Fla.; six grandchildren – Erika (Corbin) Killam, Jacob, Lillian, Juliette, Scarlette and Beckham; great-granddaughter Vada; “inherited daughter,” caregiver and friend Nancy Martin and namesake Elizabeth Martin; and brothers Jim (Beverly) and Tom (Lisa) Diffell and sister Joyce Brown, as well as many nieces and nephews. Among the numerous loved ones who preceded her in death are her husband, Bob, son Daniel, and sister Helen Drzyzga.
Betty (as she was known to most) inherited Jesus into her life when she was eight years old. She considered her life and spiritual mentors to be her mother and father, teacher Flora Robertson, Tom and Myrtle White, Harold and Mary Karls, Rev. Joy Barrett, Rev. Elias and Tapuwa Mumbiro, and Richard and Susanne Dillman. She treasured the memories made with her adored family, friends and church family, as well as her fellow “1936ers” and her Y friends.
Betty and Bob shared a great love of music, service and nature and thoroughly enjoyed nearly 60 years together, traveling, making music, laughing and spreading joy. They delighted in the Pure Michigan seasons and the joys of walking on trails and beaches, biking, cross-country skiing, boating and camping.
A 1954 graduate of Arthur Hill High School, Betty began her teaching career in 1956 following training through Michigan's County Normal certification program at Bay City Junior College. She continued her education at Central Michigan University, earning her bachelor's degree. Betty loved teaching (and being a wife, mother and grandmother) and said she never felt like she was going to work for the 25 years she taught in the Bridgeport and Saginaw Public Schools.
Throughout her life, Betty was actively involved in service to her church and community. She developed children's choirs and served as a choir director and Sunday School teacher, leading countless people – of all ages – to love music and Jesus. She led Bible studies, served in the United Methodist Women and chaired church missions committees. She also volunteered with HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) and Habitat for Humanity and served as president of Saginaw Community Concerts for many years.
The family would like to thank the owners and staff at Cascades Senior Living and Americans Home Health & Hospice Care for their loving and compassionate care of both Betty and Bob – in particular: Norm and Heather, Chez, Karey, Sam, Lavina, Chrissy, Ashley, Katie, Lauren, Amy, Brenda, Kim, Kristin, Amanda and Viola. You are all angels on Earth.
Following Betty's wishes, cremation has occurred. Committal of Betty's and Bob's ashes will take place at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 27, 2019 at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens, 7475 E. Holland Road, Saginaw, MI 48601. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2019 at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI, 48602, with Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Luncheon and reception/visitation will follow the service from 1-4 p.m at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are encouraged to consider memorials to Mustard Seed Shelter, 1325 Cherry St., Saginaw, MI 48601 (themustardseedshelter.org), or another charity of their choice.
The daughter of the late F. Hector and E. Lucille Diffell, Elizabeth was born March 18, 1936. She married the love of her life, Robert D. Hare, on October 19, 1957.
Elizabeth is survived by her son Patrick (Krystol) Hare of Jupiter, Fla.; six grandchildren – Erika (Corbin) Killam, Jacob, Lillian, Juliette, Scarlette and Beckham; great-granddaughter Vada; “inherited daughter,” caregiver and friend Nancy Martin and namesake Elizabeth Martin; and brothers Jim (Beverly) and Tom (Lisa) Diffell and sister Joyce Brown, as well as many nieces and nephews. Among the numerous loved ones who preceded her in death are her husband, Bob, son Daniel, and sister Helen Drzyzga.
Betty (as she was known to most) inherited Jesus into her life when she was eight years old. She considered her life and spiritual mentors to be her mother and father, teacher Flora Robertson, Tom and Myrtle White, Harold and Mary Karls, Rev. Joy Barrett, Rev. Elias and Tapuwa Mumbiro, and Richard and Susanne Dillman. She treasured the memories made with her adored family, friends and church family, as well as her fellow “1936ers” and her Y friends.
Betty and Bob shared a great love of music, service and nature and thoroughly enjoyed nearly 60 years together, traveling, making music, laughing and spreading joy. They delighted in the Pure Michigan seasons and the joys of walking on trails and beaches, biking, cross-country skiing, boating and camping.
A 1954 graduate of Arthur Hill High School, Betty began her teaching career in 1956 following training through Michigan's County Normal certification program at Bay City Junior College. She continued her education at Central Michigan University, earning her bachelor's degree. Betty loved teaching (and being a wife, mother and grandmother) and said she never felt like she was going to work for the 25 years she taught in the Bridgeport and Saginaw Public Schools.
Throughout her life, Betty was actively involved in service to her church and community. She developed children's choirs and served as a choir director and Sunday School teacher, leading countless people – of all ages – to love music and Jesus. She led Bible studies, served in the United Methodist Women and chaired church missions committees. She also volunteered with HOSTS (Help One Student to Succeed) and Habitat for Humanity and served as president of Saginaw Community Concerts for many years.
The family would like to thank the owners and staff at Cascades Senior Living and Americans Home Health & Hospice Care for their loving and compassionate care of both Betty and Bob – in particular: Norm and Heather, Chez, Karey, Sam, Lavina, Chrissy, Ashley, Katie, Lauren, Amy, Brenda, Kim, Kristin, Amanda and Viola. You are all angels on Earth.
Following Betty's wishes, cremation has occurred. Committal of Betty's and Bob's ashes will take place at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 27, 2019 at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens, 7475 E. Holland Road, Saginaw, MI 48601. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 12 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2019 at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI, 48602, with Rev. Joy Barrett officiating. Luncheon and reception/visitation will follow the service from 1-4 p.m at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are encouraged to consider memorials to Mustard Seed Shelter, 1325 Cherry St., Saginaw, MI 48601 (themustardseedshelter.org), or another charity of their choice.
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Memories
YK
Yvonne Kinney
Other •
Betty enjoyed doing the music for our vacation Bible schools. She would wear big sunglasses that she decorated with beads and flowers. The kids had fun singing with her. She always got them excited about music. She also directed the children's choir. My children enjoyed singing with her. She also led Bible studies. She always made the lessons very interesting. She touched many lives and always seemed very enthusiastic with whatever job she had. She will be missed. She was a very dear friend. Yvonne Kinney
DW
Donna Williams
Other •
Mrs. Hare was a wonderful woman, teacher, mentor and friend. She will be missed and not forgotten, by my family and me.
AM
Audrey McKandes
Other •
I am deeply sadden by the death of my friend and co-worker. We met years ago at Stone Elementary School where we worked on many school events together. She was a talented and dedicated teacher. She was kind and caring. Betty loved her family. We remained friends throughout the years even after her retirement from teaching. I am going to miss her great sense of humor, her zest for life, and her beautiful voice. Betty was a dear and true friend who I loved dearly. To Pat and family, I offer you my sincere prayers as you mourn her death. She touched many lives. And will be remembered by all those she touched. My deepest sympathy to the entire family. She is gone but will never be forgotten. Rest In Heaven my sweet and dear friend I am going to miss our chats.
LE
Lynda And Wayne Evans
Other •
Betty was our son-in-laws’s mom. She gave us a wonderful son-in-law and we are so grateful. She was a wonderful mom and wife. I know she’s in heaven with her husband, family and friends and most of all Jesus. She’s finally well again. We will see her again and we are anticipating that day with great joy. Hallelujah!
AG
Allyson Gonzales
Other •
Mrs. Hare was my 5th grade teacher and taught all 3 of my brothers as well at Stone Elementary. She stood out as the favorite among many great teachers that I had. She was dynamic, inspiring and everything I wanted to become as a future teacher. I pray that as a teacher, I come close to touching lives the way she did. She was my education role model, someone I strived to be like. Rest peacefully, Allyson Rose-Gonzales
AM
Audrey McKandes
Other •
Audrey McKandes lit a candle in memory of Elizabeth "Betty" Jean Hare