BETTY JANE KELLEY

Betty Jane Kelley passed away peacefully at home on Feb 8, 2021 at the age of 98. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Arthur (Art) Kelley. She is survived by her 4 children: Richard (Nancy) Kelley, Linda (Jerry) Miller, Warren (Arnette) Kelley, and Robert “Bob” (Christine) Kelley. She is also survived by her grandchildren Kevin (Julie) Kelley, Kelley Farnsworth, Scott (Sandy) Kelley, Brian (Christine) Miller, Lori Corbett, Tricia (Rob) Mulcahy, Ryan (Noel) Kelley, Jason (Emma) Kelley, Mitchell (Sondra) Kelley, Abbey Kelley and her great grandchildren Jordan, Brendan, Gavin, Grady, Addison, Landon, Grace, Joshua, Madelyn, Quinn, Claire, Emma, Chase, Audrey, Brianna, Aidan and Avery. Also survived by dear former daughter in law Peggy (Ron) Bica and their daughter Ashley Bica. Betty Hock was born on November 20, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Helen Hock. She was the younger sister of Walter Hock Jr. "Bud". Betty attended Detroit Southeastern High School where she met her lifelong friends June and Fern. After High School, Betty attended the Detroit Business Institute, and later worked at the General Motors headquarters as an executive secretary. Betty met her future husband and love of her life Arthur “Art” Kelley on a blind date. Art was so smitten with Betty by the end of the date, he immediately made plans with her for the next 4 consecutive weeks. It was the era of Big Bands and ballrooms and they loved to go dancing at the Graystone Ballroom with friends. Betty married Art on May 29, 1943. Art joined the Navy after the start of WWII and achieved the rank of lieutenant. During the War, Art was stationed in both Florida and Hawaii where Betty joined him. They soon welcomed their first child Richard “Dick” in 1945. After the war they settled in their first home on Nottingham in Detroit. Art graduated from Lawrence Technological Institute with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and he soon found a job at General Motors. They welcomed their daughter Linda soon after in 1947. Fulfilling a lifelong dream to live on a lake, Art and Betty moved, building a new home on Square Lake in Bloomfield Hills in 1952. They soon welcomed 2 more children, Warren in1952, and Robert "Bob" in 1956. For many years friends, grandparents and cousins would visit regularly on Sundays in the summer to picnic, swim, and water ski. Betty especially loved throwing a 4th of July picnic party, a tradition that spanned 6 decades. Betty was a devoted wife and homemaker and she loved her family more than anything else. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed adding new recipes to her repertoire of home cooked family meals and desserts to her family's delight. Betty lived her life as an example of generosity, honesty, grace, and dignity and instilled those values in her children. She will be dearly missed. Betty was a devoted Catholic and a member of St. Hugo Parrish for some 70 years. The Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church, 2215 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills. The family will receive friends on Monday from 4-8 p.m. at the Riverside Chapel, Simpson-Modetz Funeral Home, 5630 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford and on Tuesday at the Church from 10:30 a.m. until time of 11:00 a.m. Mass. Rite of Committal at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery, Troy. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's research hospital, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, or St. Joseph Mercy Home Care and Hospice of Farmington.