Betty Lou Bushong

We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother ("GG") and friend Betty Lou Bushong of Flushing, MI on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022 at the age of 92.

She was born on September 17, 1930 in Baltimore, MD at Johns Hopkins Hospital--the second of seven children of the late Charles Agustas (1905-1965) and Caroline Virginia (nee, Lampley) Collars (1912-1966). She married her late husband Irvin Bushong on July 25th, 1958. He passed away on April 11th, 1992. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by elder sister Elma Virginia Rice in 2006, younger brothers Charles Raymond in 1933 and Roy Emerson in 2015, younger sister Caroline Augusta Mullins in 2015, and sons Charles ("Ray") in 2015 and Alexander ("Junior") in 2018.

Throughout her life, Betty resided in Maryland, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, and Michigan. She loved traveling, having been on numerous cruises, many bus and road trips across the United States, and multiple trips to Europe. One of her favorite places to visit was Frankenmuth, MI, and would visit with family several times a year. She would often lament about not making a trip to Ireland. She had many interests and hobbies, including quilting, playing cards (she was a pro at "500 Rummy") and bingo (as long as it wasn't electronic!), watching John Wayne movies, and reading.

As a lifelong member of the Methodist church, she most recently attended the First United Methodist Church in New Port Richey, FL. Betty often volunteered her time ushering, assisting in the food kitchen, working the pumpkin patch, and decorating the narthex. She also volunteered for Palmetto Health and Hernando Pasco Hospice.

Betty was truly the family historian, relaying many stories she heard from her grandfather Charles Emerson, who had the habit of sitting with her and smoking a pipe while she ironed. This was the only time, she reminisced, that he would just talk to her--about his life, the life of his father, and the life of his grandfather. She spent many years researching and verifying the information she learned, and took a lot of joy and immense pride in her efforts to consolidate and preserve the family history. Her mind was remarkable with the ability to recall dates and facts—she could relay when and where everyone was born, when they passed away, where they were buried—in stunning detail.

Betty is survived by her daughter Sandy Dill (Roger), son Robert (Samantha), daughter Pat Bushong, younger brothers Jay (Jan) and Frank (Marti) Collars, grandchild Jeanette (Bill) McKibbin and their children Benjamin and Eleanor, as well as many additional grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their families.

The family is having a private graveside service at Conestoga Memorial Park in Lancaster, PA. Betty will be laid to rest next to her late husband, as she wished. The family welcomes memorial contributions made to the Dementia Society of America (dementiasociety.org) as an expression of sympathy.