Betty Jean Truckey
NEGAUNEE, MI. – Betty Jean Truckey, 68, of Negaunee, passed away at 9:01 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2015 with her family by her side and under the care of U.P. Home Health and Hospice at UP Health System Marquette. Betty had always claimed that she wanted to go out because of something strange or weird. Well, just three short weeks ago she was diagnosed with Stage IV small cell lung cancer that had metastasized to her liver, and up until a few short weeks before, had no symptoms to indicate her condition. So, according to her family and friends, this was both strange and weird.
Betty was born June 13, 1946 at Bell Memorial Hospital to Robert A. and Dorothy (DeLorensi) Truckey. She mostly grew up in the Ishpeming/Negaunee area, however, because of her family moving multiple times, she attended many different schools from here to Grantz, New Mexico. She was a proud graduate of Ishpeming High School, Class of 1964, with one of her most memorable high school moments being her self-proclaimed most successful senior skip day ever.
Betty was married in February of 1965 and had her son Johnny on February 12, 1966 and her daughter Renee on December 3, 1968. She was a loving mother who did anything for her kids and once they both started and adjusted to school full time, she went back to school herself and became a beautician, working for a couple hair dressers before finally finding a home at the Hair Repair in Negaunee where she was able to work for two wonderful sisters, Pat LaCosse and Mary Lou Pirkola. She continued to work for years making many great friends with her co-workers and clients. It was truly something she loved to do. Betts had a wonderful sense of humor and she wasn’t afraid to use it, and because of this, she never took things too seriously and was always able to use humor to make it through tough times. And, up until the day she passed, she had us all smiling and laughing.
Betts had way too many friends to mention, but always enjoyed the friends she made with the “Club girls”, the Gwinn crew, her friends at Tino’s and all of her “family and friends” that participated in any way at the Renee Thomas Memorial Softball Tournament held annually in the memory of her daughter Renee.
Betts felt fortunate to meet her companion and her best friend Mike Havela 14 years ago and they had each other to lean on and love until the day she passed away. Betty felt honored to be a part of Mike’s family and cherished the time she spent with them, and especially enjoyed coffee and crosswords on the front porch at camp on Little Perch Lake where Mike and her spent the summer and fall seasons each year.
Betty was preceded in death by her daughter, Renee Marie Thomas, who died on February 12, 1993 of acute leukemia at the age of 23, shortly after graduating from Northern Michigan University. She was also preceded in death by her Father, Robert A. Truckey, who passed away on May 13, 2014.
Betty is survived by her mother, Dorothy Truckey; son, John “J.T.” (Wendi) Thomas and their children and Betty’s grandchildren Haley Renee and Tyler Joseph Thomas; one brother, Robert L. (Carol) Truckey; one sister, Tina (Don) Morrison; nieces: Wendy (Bill) Gravedoni and Patty (Kevin) Mattord; nephew, Craig (Janel) Morrison, niece Lisa (Matt) Martin, great nephews: Tony Gravedoni, Ian and Colin Martin and great nieces: Katie Gravedoni, Becky Mattord and Teagan and Morgan Martin as well as great-great niece Kaiya. Betty is also survived by her best friend and companion Mike Havela and his family Brad, Karyn, Cooper Gage and Hannah Havela as well as Gwen, Jeramy and Jacob Pellow and Lee and Niilo Nykanen.
Betty will be truly missed daily by all that ever knew her, as we have lost the best mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend that all of us could ever ask for. She was truly the rock we ran to when we needed unconditional love, advice, sympathy, friendship, humor or a “kick in the ass.” We will all miss you.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the Koskey Funeral Home on Saturday, January 10th from 1:00 pm until 3:45 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Betty’s memory to UP Home Health and Hospice, 1414 W. Fair Ave. Ste. 44, Marquette, MI 49855. In honor of Betty’s wishes, there will be a true celebration of her life at 5:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post 114, Greenwood Location, 3050 Co. Rd. 496, Ishpeming. Please bring a dish to pass or a story to tell and be ready to have a great time as that is what she wanted.
Betty’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.