Elizabeth Ann Nulty

A remarkable mom, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, teacher and friend, Elizabeth Ann Nulty, age 95, of Plymouth passed away on September 12, 2024.

Betty Ann, as she was known to family and friends, was born in Nekoma, North Dakota on March 6, 1929 to her parents, the late Elizabeth (née Gellner) and Jacob Spanier. Her family moved to Plymouth in the early 1940s and joined Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, where Betty Ann continued as an active member for the rest of her life.

She was the Valedictorian of her Plymouth High School graduating class, and in 1951 married the late Gordon Edward Nulty, a WWII Marine, and started their family. 6 years later, having saved a downpayment, Betty Ann and Gordie purchased 3 acres of farmland 5 miles west of Plymouth, via dirt road, and built their dream home. Betty and the children loved their home out in the country, and the beloved house on Napier Road remained Betty’s residence for 67 years until her death.

 When Gordie died February 10, 1965, Betty Ann became a widow at age 35, with 4 young children, a house and three acres, a car, a dog and no source of income. Betty never complained and never became discouraged. When the children were of school age attending Our Lady of Good Counsel, Betty decided that she needed a college degree in order to get a job adequate to support her family. Undaunted, she enrolled at Schoolcraft Community College, taking one class at a time so she could be home when school let out, until she had enough credits to transfer to Eastern Michigan. Paying for it herself, she became the first person in her family to attend college, obtaining her undergraduate degree in education. She became an elementary school teacher in the South Lyon school district, achieving her goal of supporting her family.

Always a lover of learning, Betty went on to get a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan, subsequently working as the Librarian/Media Specialist at South Lyon High School for the next 20 years.

Betty loved traveling, first camping in a tent with the kids across the United States, and later traversing Europe, Great Britain, Canada, Mexico, Israel, Australia and New Zealand. She embraced all trips as an opportunity to learn about history, culture, and people.

In her spare time, Betty was a great cook, seamstress, upholsterer, and gardener, and a lover of books. She was the pie queen, making homemade crust and any filling you requested, especially rhubarb, which she grew herself of course. Betty was President of the Salem/South Lyon Library Board and oversaw acquisition and building of the new Salem/South Lyon District Library. She was appointed Grand Marshal of the City of Salem Fourth of July Parade! Despite the accolades, Betty Ann’s proudest accomplishment was raising her four children by herself into responsible, successful adults.

Betty Ann was very active in the OLGC parish, first as an original member of CFM as a young family, later serving as Eucharistic Minister, leader of Bible Study, remote communion delivery, and Purificator detail. After retirement, she attended daily mass.

Betty was extremely devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She said the rosary every day. Every Palm Sunday, Betty carried on a tradition of saying 1000 Hail Mary’s, usually kneeling through 20 rosaries.

The last few years of Betty Ann’s life were spent in Memory Care, where she became a favorite resident – happy and kind, and always with a smile for everyone.

Elizabeth is the devoted wife of the late Gordon Nulty, loving mother of four children – Gregory (Talia), Maureen (Harry Cendrowski), and John (Sharon). She is predeceased by her son, Richard (Susan) Nulty;

Proud grandmother of Jacob (Jennifer Cunnings), Michael, Thomas, Colin, Danielle (Sean) Gillen, Ann (Corey Rumph), Phillip (Stephanie), Claire (Sid Venkatesan), Ellen (Nicolas Hitz), Andrea Cendrowski (Madison Schmidt), Stephen (Lauren) Gradinscak, Daniel Gradinscak, and great-grandmother of Anthony, Alex, Izabella, Jimmy Gillen, Kate Gillen, Mary Gillen, Elise Gillen and Lily Gillen, Elizabeth Gradinscak and Lucas Gradinscak;

Nieces and Nephew Susan (Don) Dickson, Gary (Jenny) Farwell, Mary West and Barbara Spanier.

Friends may visit the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth on Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Eulogy delivered at 5:00. Rosary prayed at 6:00. 

Visitation will continue on Monday beginning at 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 47650 North Territorial Road, Plymouth, Michigan. 

Elizabeth will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan alongside her beloved husband, Gordon Edward Nulty. 

Those who wish to honor the memory of Elizabeth Ann Nulty are invited to consider a contribution to Community Opportunity Center, 593 Deer Street, Plymouth, Michigan 48170.

Contribution envelopes will be available at the Funeral Home.