Betty Beishir

1923 - 2017

Betty Beishir 1923—2017
Betty Beishir (Beruta Staponavich) passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2017. She is now reunited with Don, the love of her life, who passed away January 5, 2017. Betty was born August 27, 1923, in South Rockford, Illinois. She was named after Queen Birute of Lithuania, and was very proud of her Lithuanian heritage. She attended St. Peter and Paul Catholic School followed by Rockford High School, where she played the symbols for the VFW Drum and Bugle Corp. (early Phantom Regiment). She was fond of saying, "They marched to my beat." Anyone who knew her knows this to be true; she was one of a kind! She then worked as the secretary to the President at Illinois Water Treatment. Betty met her husband, Don, while both were attending Rockford Business College. They were married February 8, 1947, at St. Mary's Church in Rockford. While Don was overseas during WWII, Betty was a member of the Woman's Ambulance Safety Patrol. She then worked in the office of the family business, Rockford Electric Equipment Company, quickly becoming the heart of the operation. She loved working side by side with her husband. She and Don had three sons, Donald Jr., Stephan, and Bernard. She loved supporting her children and being part of the PTA. Betty's Catholic faith was very special to her. She and Don were longtime members of St. Edward's Catholic Church, and later became members of St. Rita's Catholic Church after moving to Peterson Meadows Retirement Community. Betty loved being active. She was an avid bridge player and played golf regularly at Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club as a member of both the 9 and 18-holers. She and Don had a cottage on Rock Lake in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. They loved spending weekends at this special place. She will be forever missed. She was the strongest, kindest woman and loved her family more than anything. Betty had mobility problems towards the end, but she's running now! Betty is survived by her sons, Steve and Bernie (Kathy); 9 grandchildren, Kristian, Abbey, Aimmee, Donald III, Bernadette, Matthew, Brenna, Kelcy, and Kent; 22 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Don; eldest son, Don Jr.; parents, Rose and Bernard Staponavich; and older brother, Bernard (El Paso, Tx). We would like to thank OSF Palliative Care and Hospice, and especially the Visiting Angels of Rockford. We appreciate the love you gave to our family.
A visitation will be held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., on Friday, March 31, at 9:30 a.m. The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery, 6202 Charles St. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.