Betty Roberts, center, hosting an Indian Village Woman’s Garden Club meeting at her home.
The family of Betty Roberts, assisted by the Indian Village Woman’s Garden Club, held a “Celebration of the Life of Betty Roberts” on Saturday, August 17, 2022 at the Centennial Garden in Indian Village. Her Obituary is below.
Betty A. Roberts (nee: Martin), age 80, died on Sunday, July 17, 2022, surrounded by her family at her home in Detroit. She was born on March 10, 1942, in Chicago to the late Harry and the late Laura (nee: Rhoades) Martin.
Betty grew up in Kalamazoo and Galesburg, MI. She graduated Kalamazoo High. After high school graduation she went on to attend Western Michigan University as well as Boston University overseas. Betty continued her education through Wayne State Law School.
Prior to becoming a full-time homemaker and an active volunteer, Betty worked at Michigan Bell Phone Company for several years working her way through many promotions.
Betty met her husband, Larry, while she was a waitress at the Tally Ho restaurant in Kalamazoo. The couple started dating in 1963 and eventually wed in 1966. Betty and Larry traveled as a couple over the years to many different places including Hawaii, Greece, France and other parts of Europe. They lived in Germany for 3 years when Larry was in the Army and Betty worked at a local library. They moved to Detroit in the early 1970s. They were blessed with their first and only child, Laura, in 1983.
When their daughter Laura was born, Betty fell in love with becoming a mother. Betty’s contagious positivity and steadfast strength is what Laura most admired about her mom. Betty was friendly and kind to everyone, whether she just met them or had known them for years. She surrounded everyone with open arms and a judgement free space. The epitome of “hostess with the mostest”, she loved having company over with thoughtfully crafted home cooked meals and an open door policy. Her laughter was loud and lively and she adored being in the company of her many friends and neighbors. Her daughter Laura married David in 2009 and Betty was thrilled to have gained an amazing son and family. Her favorite time of her life was when she became a grandmother to Sasha in 2010 and Theo in 2013. She said it was better than even becoming a mom.
Betty was an avid volunteer. She volunteered at her daughter Laura’s school, University Liggett School, in Grosse Pointe. She was very passionate about education and was the president of a local scholarship fund that assists underprivileged inner-city teens. Betty was an active member of the Indian Village Woman’s Garden Club and Indian Village Association. A true lover of the fine arts, Betty supported many of the facets of the Detroit Institute of Arts. She was very proud to have donated money to the DIA under her own name and has a plaque on the wall to show for it.
Betty was the loving wife of Larry. Dear mother of Laura (David) Pechersky. Cherished grandmother of Sasha and Theo Pechersky. Beloved sister of Patricia Martin and the late Harry Martin.