Betty Dow Heller

1925 - 2015

May 14, 1925 - July 3, 2015 Betty Dow Heller, 90, passed on July 3, 2015 in Glendale, California, of respiratory failure. Betty Jean Dow was born May 14, 1925 to William Harrison Dow, DDS, and Betsy Barber Dow in Detroit, Michigan. Betty is survived by her three sons, William (Kathy), Robert (Marla) and Daniel (Debra), nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and will be missed by her beloved Glenna and wonderful companion, Tom Waters. Warren Lane Heller, her husband of 62 years, and her sister Lois Neitzel pre-deceased her. Nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren will lovingly remember Betty as "Nana." Betty met Warren on a blind date and they were married in Detroit on October 9, 1948. For Betty, family always came first, and she raised their sons in Detroit, Oak Park and Dearborn (Michigan), then Saratoga (California) and Moorestown (New Jersey) during Warren's thirty- year career with Ford Motor Company. In 1979, Betty and Warren moved to Aptos, California and in 2009, they moved to Pasadena, California, to be closer to family. Throughout her early adult life, Betty was a caring mother and homemaker, involved in PTA and other programs with her sons. A highlight in her life was her membership in P.E.O., a women's philanthropic organization devoted to higher education for women. Joining in 1965, her next 50 years included five terms as Chapter President, and she found "sisters" wherever she and Warren lived. Betty's greatest joy was her involvement with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Each sons' first child was a daughter and provided the opportunity to have the daughters she always longed for. Her eldest granddaughter, Brooke, said, "Nana was the kindest, most honest, giving, loving, accepting, gracious, forgiving, persistent, forthright, wise woman I have ever known. Not one of the, but THE. She taught me how to be a woman." Betty was always outgoing and popular. She longed for interaction with others, pleasantly meeting new friends. She was well read, loved needlework and teaching many life skills all to her grandchildren. She enjoyed dancing, swimming, walking, and dressing like a fashion statement, something her family and friends enjoyed. A memorial celebrating her life will be held in La Ca�ada. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to "P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education" and sent to P.E.O. Executive Office-Treasury Department, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. Please note the donation as "Betty Heller/DH Chapter."