Elizabeth Check, 80, died May 21, after an accidental fall related to Parkinson's Disease.

Betty was born August 20, 1939, to the late George Daly and Virginia Evans Daly. She leaves her beloved husband of 51 years, Joseph "Joe", her daughter Grace, son-in-law Hugh Yeman, and her darling granddaughter, Beatrice; her brother Bob Daly (Sheila), sister Kathy Daly, sister-in-law Chris (Ray Renaud), nieces Susan and Veronica, nephew Vincent, and grandnieces Muriel and Cecelia; and an extended family of cousins who loved and admired her.

Betty was born in Santa Monica, California and grew up in Newport, Rhode Island where she graduated from Rogers High School and Salve Regina College with her degree in nursing. She remained devoted to her Boston Daly family, especially her Aunt Gertrude.

Betty moved to Chicago where she taught in traditional hospital-based nursing programs and worked as a medical/surgical nurse. She met her future husband in an urban sociology class in 1967 while she was earning her Master of Science in Nursing at Loyola University.

Betty joined the new nursing programs in the Chicago City Colleges as an instructor. She married, gave birth to Grace, and created a nonprofit - the RN Tutoring Project - which for 21 years helped nursing graduates from all over the world become licensed RNs. Betty became a certified substance abuse counselor and then a clinical social worker, having received her MSW from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Betty demonstrated an intensely personal commitment to service. She was devoted to carrying a message of recovery through her participation in several mutual help fellowships where she was a beloved member, guide, and role model. She walked the walk.

CORRECTION Because of the current pandemic, a memorial and celebration of Betty's life will take place on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 11am CBT. Please email [email protected] for the Zoom account and password. Feel free to write in the guestbook linked below.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Jun. 21, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Check

9 Entries

John Stokes

May 29, 2021

My family and I are neighbors of the Check's, and it's been a pure joy to know them. Betty was the sweetest to me, my wife, and daughter. She was truly a salt of the earth person. The best thing to witness were there love for each other especially on their outings to operas and plays. The real treat was to see them going on the date and being fortunate enough to see them coming back and getting the description of the opera or play with her face just beaming like the sun describing the event.

Barbara Giannini

June 27, 2020

Although I never got to meet Betty personally, I feel as if I know what a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother she was. Through Cousin Joe I can recall when he talked about her what a caring and loving person she was. I am so sorry that I will never get to meet her. Peace be with you and Grace at this time.

Halise Coskun

June 22, 2020

I remember Betty whistling while cooking, talking to her plants while she was taking care of the garden, and feeding the birds. When Joe went to his room to read a book, she'd talk to me in the kitchen. She would speak of architecture, history, plants, and sometimes give advice. Betty and Joe helped me with everything during my stay. I always felt safe when I was with them. Thank for you being such nice persons. RIP Betty. You will be missed.

Diana Goergen

June 21, 2020

I was one of many Betty's student that she tutored in 1978. She was a mentor and great leader to all. She reassured me that I would not fail from my knowledge in nursing, but from my anxiety of testing. She spent time with me doing relaxation exercises and more. I have never met such a wonderful person and mentor like her in my 42 years in nursing. I am sorry for your loss and may great memories of her live on in our hearts.

Marybeth Young

June 21, 2020

Betty and I were friends and colleagues beginning with the formation of the RN Tutoring Project. We often collaborated on testing workshops, or had lunch at Misericordia with Vrda. Nursing has lost a great mentor. Our sympathy to Joe and Grace and family.

Joe Check

June 21, 2020

Betty and I loved to sing good night on video calls to Beatrice every evening. Betty, who loved the Lyric Opera, often chuckled at my out-of-tune attempts. I carry on the tradition for us.

Debra Reed

June 20, 2020

I miss her so much. We traveled on The Path together and the last few years regularly met on Monday afternoon. My Spirit knows it's 2:00 on Mondays without clock or calendar since she left.

She and Joe are two of God's Special children. They will always have a space in my and my sons' hearts. Rest in heaven my Spiritual Sister.

Karen Sootese

June 20, 2020

I remember sitting around the table in the faculty lounge at Aquinas and talking about sociology, biology and current events. Betty was so much fun to talk to, with her acerbic take on politics and her hopefulness that things would get better. She was such a wise person. She will be missed.

Gwyn Aubrey

June 20, 2020

She had such love for the world, forpeople and plants and flowers. Her garden was a paradise. She will be missed.

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