Mary Elizabeth Darnell "Betty" Moore

Darnell Moore On November 11, 2010 Betty, as she was preferred to be called, passed from this life into God's loving embrace. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 8, 1917 and spent the majority of her adult life in the state of Michigan. Her father was Albertus Darnell, Dean of Liberal Arts at Wayne State University in Detroit. He was instrumental in the original formation of the University and also wrote Mathematics Textbooks. Her mother, Elsie McDonald, was one of five sisters who founded Detroit's music school. Betty lost her mother at age eleven and her married, older sister Margaret, moved into her dad's home and helped raise her. She attended Wayne State University, graduated with highest Honors, was a life long member of both Delta Gamma Chi social sorority and Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity. On graduation from college, she received a Lifetime Elementary School Teacher's Certification and taught in the Wyandotte school System for several years before marrying her friend since childhood, Keith Paul Moore, in April of 1943. Her new husband was a Lieutenant in the US Army and was shipped out for Europe and the Second World War a matter of months later. He was one of the few surviving troops in the seventh Armored Division to escape annihilation at Verdun in the Battle of the Bulge. Betty and Keith were blessed with a Son in 1944. Four years later, after his return to the states, a baby girl was added to the family. Betty's musical talents were manifested in piano, organ and vocal areas. Her rich alto voice was a lovely addition to the Congregational Churches she attended and she volunteered as an organist at times. She was a long time member of North Congregational Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where she was an enthusiastic choir member and active participant in carrying out services to benefit members. Always with a positive attitude and a smile, she has a penchant for helping people. She enjoyed membership in the Women's Association and Deacons. After her move to California eight and one half years ago to be near her daughter, she regularly attended The First Congregational UCC Church in Eureka where she was loved and appreciated for the sunshine she brought into every room she entered. Following her husband's return from the war, Betty and Keith settled in Huntington Woods, Michigan where they raised their children. Betty was very active in the community in many service oriented areas. She ascended to the Presidency of the Huntington Woods Study Club and was instrumental in conducting research, Friendly Visitors, and eventually received a Humanitarian award from them. She also served as chapter President for both Mu Phi Epsilon and her social sorority from college, Delta Gamma Chi. One of the favorite projects shared with her husband and family was the building and improvement of their cottage (a former Army barracks) in the Lake Louise Christian Community in Northern Michigan. She and Keith had met in their childhood as their folks had nearby cottages in Michigan's Les Cheneaux Islands (on the lake Huron side of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.) Betty, and consequently her family, had a lifelong love of the outdoors, nature and animals. She spent many charmed summers for decades in the lakeside cottage on Lake Louise. This community contained many of her childhood and college friends and was one of the most meaningful of her many experiences. She did a lot of historical research on that area for a book on the "History of Lake Louise". She was also a participating member of Northern Michigan's Watershed Council, dedicated to keeping Michigan's pristine waters pollution free. When she reached the age of 85 and had been diagnosed with a long term illness, Betty decided that a new adventure was in order and moved to be closer to her daughter in California. She established residence at Timber Ridge of Eureka where she spent a number of happy years until she passed away at the McKinleyville Timber Ridge Renaissance Center at the age of 93. She is survived be her son, Dr. Robert Moore of Detroit, Michigan, her daughter Mrs. Jean Warner of Trinidad, CA., her grandchildren Joel Moore and Dr.Lisa Helmick, and two great-grandchildren Madison and Jackson Helmick. A memorial Service in celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday November the 20th at the First Congregation Church of Eureka, 900 Hodgson Street in Eureka, California. Another service will be held to honor her life on December 5th at her home church, North Congregation Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to Hospice, the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.