Elizabeth Hogan

Hogan, Elizabeth A.

Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Hogan, 82, of Green Bay, shared her final good bye surrounded by her adoring family in the early morning hours of March 14, 2015 at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee. After 60 days of fighting the fight of her life with dignity and grace and sweetness and unbelievable strength of spirit, her body succumbed to complications from advanced kidney disease.

Betty was born on July 14, 1932 in Green Bay, WI to Howard and Elizabeth (Kopf) Maloney. She graduated from West High School in 1950. Betty met the love of her life, Bob, on the baseball fields of Green Bay where she watched him pitch many games. They were married on April 19, 1952 at St. Patrick's Church in Green Bay where they also raised their own baseball team of 10 children. Betty and Bob were blessed to have celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2002 surrounded by their large family and dear friends.

Betty's generosity was legendary - she would literally give you the shirt off her back. In the midst of raising a family of 10 children, there was always room in her huge heart and modest home for one more child or friend to feed and sleep over, one more stray dog or cat to take in and multiple pots of African violets or orchids to tend to. Her love of flowers was a passion that spilled over on to her little apartment deck each spring with her beautiful hanging plants.

Betty was an avid Packer and Brewer fan who dressed for game day in her stylish team jerseys and hats. She was always the most vocal cheerer at the party. During Packer games she could often be heard down the block screaming "GET THE DEVIL!!!" as the opposing team was running for a touchdown.

Betty possessed that Irish gift of gab in any social setting. She knew how to work a crowd and her magnetic personality instantly drew you in to be her friend. She made many friends in many places, the last stop being St. Luke's in Milwaukee where she gave it her all. In spite of being critically ill and having her voice silenced she still managed to turn on her "Betty " charm and touch the lives of her many caregivers through note writing and gestures.

Betty's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of St. Luke's CardioVascular ICU and Heart Failure Unit for their excellent care and kindness that extended to Betty's visiting family as well. A special thanks to two nurses in particular: Rosalee, whose skilled and tender gentle care soothed Betty's broken body in time of need and Michelle, whose smile and upbeat presence brought rays of sunshine to Betty's hospital room of too many days.

Betty was known by her grandchildren as the "cool grandma" whom they cherished greatly. "Gammy Betty" was the grandma who rocked and accessorized with bling. She was so interested and involved in all of their lives and couldn't get enough of all 22 of them. She lived to hear that knock on her door when they would come to visit.

Betty loved to plan a party for any occasion - "the more the merrier" was her motto because she always had "enough food to feed Coxey's Army". She knew parties would bring her children and grandchildren together under one roof and that was her greatest pleasure in life. She had a passion for food and was always sharing her latest and "most delicious" recipe with whomever she could reach by phone.

Betty was a CNN news junkie and couldn't wait to phone family and friends each day to deliver the breaking news and, of course, the daily chit chat that would follow. She wanted so much to stay connected to her large family and circle of friends and thus, her telephone became her social lifeline as her mobility decreased.

But Betty's most cherished role was that as a mother and she set the gold standard. Her unflinching care and concern and involvement in all of her ten children's lives continued into their adulthood. Her heart swelled with happiness for them in their good times and broke for them in their difficult times. She just couldn't stop being a mom. And on top of that, Betty was a fun mom that her children considered their friend and with whom they truly enjoyed spending time.

Betty is survived by her six daughters-Debbie (Carl) Gustafson, Maureen (Tim Norman)Hogan, Kathleen (John) Bodart, Colleen (John Mettner) Hogan, Molly (special friend, Dennis) Watzka, Shannon (Mike) Goeben; two sons-Timothy (Karen) Hogan and Thomas (Ruth) Hogan; one daughter-in-law, Jacque Hogan; 22 grandchildren-Jaimie; Shaylen; Zach and Jess; Jessica, Jenna, Anna and Kara; Kristen, Lindsay and Katie; Abbey and Michael; Brennan, Breanna, Chelsey and Jordan; McKenzie, Kylie and Dylan; Chaz and Conner; seven great grandchildren-Desirae; Ellie Shay, Olivia and Evan; Elias and Micah; and Nevaeh; sister, Mary Jane Berken; brother, Gerald (Hope) Maloney; sister-in-law, Carol Maloney.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her two sons, Patrick and Michael; her parents, Howard and Elizabeth Maloney; brother, Patrick Maloney; brother-in-law, Roy Berken.

Friends may call at the Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., on Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Parish wake service 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, 645 S. Irwin Ave., from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with Fr. Patrick Gawrylewski, OFM officiating. Burial in the Allouez Catholic Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.

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"So sorry, our mom is no longer here to take your call. She's busy feeding stray angels and growing flowers by starlight and planning the next big party for all of her new friends and family in heaven. But please, leave a message - and one day she'll get back to you..."

"Hey mom, just calling to remind you that your big party is on for Saturday night. Your favorite Tiramisu Cake and Old Fashions are on the menu. So...FINALLY, you can put on your dancing shoes and we'll celebrate! Mom, Grandma - we love you."