BETTIE CHRISTIAN LONG RICKENBACH

LONG RICKENBACH, BETTIE CHRISTIAN, 88
Ocala - Bettie Christian Long Rickenbach has gone to be with her husband Richard 'Rick' Vernon Rickenbach on November 9, 2015. She was born May 27, 1927 in Ocala, Florida to Clyde and Pearl Long. She was a third generation Ocalan. She will best be remembered by her family as a wonderful, caring wife, mother, and grandmother and will be missed dearly. She attended Salem Academy in Winston Salem, North Carolina then went on to study piano at Finch Junior College in New York City where she graduated with distinction. She then attended Peabody conservatory in Baltimore before returning to Ocala. She forever loved playing and listening to piano music which brought her and Rick together for 59 beautiful years of a loving marriage. Bettie and Rick were business owners and operators of Cole's Office Equipment which evolved into Rheinauers Gift Shop for 50 years. They sold beautiful gifts for special occasions to Ocalans for many years and thoroughly loved it. Bettie was involved in the community being a charter member of Marion Players, was the President and Secretary of the Ocala Community Concert Association and a member Junior Women's Club. She was a founding member of FAFO, a Gray Lady at Monroe Memorial Hospital and chaired events for American Cancer Society. She had a strong love for her family and enjoyed telling a good story. She enjoyed the arts, music, traveling, playing the piano and entertaining family and friends. Once again, she's playing the piano for her beloved husband and exchanging wonderful laughs and memories, enjoying each other's loving embrace.
Bettie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Vernon Rickenbach; and her parents, Clyde and Pearl Ray Long.
Survivors include her brother, Clyde (Rose) Long; daughter, Marie (Billy) Tuck; son, Walter (Cathy) Rickenbach; grandsons, William (Amanda) Tuck and Connor (Lauren) Tuck; a niece; nephew; and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Marion County in her memory. A graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ocala, FL on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at 10am.