Joan Sue Betson

Betson, Joan Sue

Joan Sue Betson of Appleton, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2013, in the company of her three children, Kevin Betson, Pamela Sue Barnett and Lance Betson, in Newport Beach, California, where she had lived for the past 51 years. Joan Sue and her twin sister, Audrey Lou, were born on September 22, 1930, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to parents, Carl J. Schroeder and Irene Hall Schuette Schroeder. After graduating from Appleton High School, Joan attended Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where she joined the Chi Omega Sorority. An active alumnus, she remained in contact with her sorority sisters throughout her life. Never one to embrace new technology, Joan preferred the sincerity that comes from either a hand written note or one produced from her well worn typewriter.

After graduating from the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in Chicago, she worked at Zwicker Knitting Mills and Appleton Wireworks, which enabled her to travel to Europe aboard the Queen Mary. In 1956, Joan married Johnnie R. Betson, MD. They moved to New Orleans, for his medical training, then Albuquerque, for his first position, and finally settled in Newport Beach, in 1962. Joan Sue loved music and was a founding member of the Pacific Chorale, and sang with the group for 14 years. She began playing the piano at a young age and became an accomplished pianist and organist. With this dexterity, she learned to needlepoint and won many first place ribbons for her efforts at the annual Orange County Fair in California.

Joan had been a dedicated member of the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Costa Mesa since arriving in California. From Sunday school teacher, wedding planner, Deacon and active member of the church choir, this church was her place of joy and solace. As a testament to her faith, for the past 44 years, her favorite Christmas Eve tradition was having hundreds of luminaries placed around her home, the orange glow guiding Christ into our home.

Joan Sue is survived by her sister, Audrey and son, Steele in Appleton; cousin, Beth George and nephew, Steve Olson; and her children, Kevin, Pam and favorite son-in-law, Rob Barnett, Lance and daughter-in-law, Terry with their children, Hayden and Riley.

Joan Sue will always be remembered for her outgoing personality, coiffed hair and infectious laugh, and we all miss her very much.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant Music Dept., 2850 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa 92626 or the Pacific Chorale, 3621 South Harbor Blvd., #221, Santa Ana, CA 92704.