Betty J. (Moore) Edmondson

Betty J. Edmondson, age 82, of Chatham, died late Thursday evening, May 6, 2021 at UPHS Marquette.  Betty was born in Melstrand, Michigan on September 2, 1938 to Ed and Rose (Cholo) Moore.  She met her childhood sweetheart, Jim Edmondson, at the age of thirteen, and years later, they married and started their family.  They were married forty-four years raising four children.  They started their married life in Flint, Michigan and then relocated to Alger County in 1962.  Together, Betty and Jim, moved her childhood home from Beaver Basin to its resting place on Ferguson Road.  Betty was a devoted wife and mother.  She found work as a seamstress and cook (which she is remembered to be excellent at both) and worked many jobs over the years.  Betty’s favorite job was cooking at the Snack Bar.  She showed her love through food and practice.  Betty loved making and sharing her delicious pasties and cinnamon rolls.  She took exemplary care of Jim when he was sick for many years and received a lung transplant.  With her daughters, Betty spoke on behalf of transplant families throughout Michigan and Wisconsin.  She and Jim made the courageous decision to donate their son, Jimmy’s organs after a traumatic snowmobile accident at the age of twenty-nine.  It was after this that they met Charles Scott, who received Jimmy’s heart.  He and his wife, Barbara, were instant lifetime friends and they traveled to see each other.  Betty and Jim shared another few good years until Jim’s passing on August 13, 1998.

More than life itself, Betty loved her grandchildren.   She can be remembered making school costumes, baking whatever pie they wanted, and letting them eat it for breakfast – or whatever else they wanted.  She was the fun Gran who taught them to cuss, gave them candy cigarettes, and sips of her grasshoppers.

In 2003, Betty met Roy Hill, and until her death, the two loved the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and now even great-great grandchildren.  She lovingly called him her “Roy-Boy” and the two enjoyed attending and participating in car shows.

Betty was a “Force of Nature” and lived life the way she wanted to.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law – Margie (Ken) Epps, Bonnie (Bob) Maki, and Rhonda (James) Seppanen; her significant other – Roy Hill; her “neighbor boy” – Tom Johnson who she considered a son; grandchildren – Sara, Sherry, Sheree, Steven, Spencer, Jessica, Nikki, Lindsey, Shana, and Shane; nineteen great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; sisters – Carol (Bill) Perry and Midge Maynard; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband James, son Jimmy, and other sisters and brothers.

In keeping with Betty’s wishes, there will not be a formal funeral.  Private family graveside services will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery and a celebration of life will be held at a later date for family.