Betty Mae Curl

Betty Curl Obituary

"THE LIGHT STILL SHINES IN THE DARKNESS AND THE DARKNESS HAS NEVER PUT IT OUT"

Betty was born in Decatur, Ill., and raised along with her brother, Robert by Hester and Raymond Gidel. Her beauty and angelic smile would help her to be crowned beauty queen during her high school years.

During a soda shop encounter she met Nelson JR Curl, a visiting cadet from London, Ohio. It was love at first sight and they would marry on April 21, 1946. Nelson found work for Pan American Airways, which opened the door for the family to travel the world. While living in Nicaragua, Panama and Florida, Betty would raise their five boys: Michael, Steven, Kevin, Mason and Shepherd. The Curls then moved to Douglas Manor in Queens, N.Y., where JR worked out of the Pan Am building and Betty would get her real estate license working for Bryce Ray Realty of Little Neck. Nelson was promoted again and they moved to London, England, where they continued living the life of the Jet Set, thanks to Pan Am.

A special meeting of Pope Paul in Rome highlighted their time overseas.

In 1980 Nelson retired, they went back to New York, sold the house and moved to Palm Beach County, Fla.

After a handful of glorious years living amidst The Hunt riding grounds, Betty and JR moved to their condo on Crescent Beach, St. Augustine, where they spent their remaining years with family and friends.

Betty's life included: working on research for penicillin, where she won a contest for safety with the motto "In using tools heed safety rules, careful men live longer."

Betty won awards and recognition for her culinary skills.

She also spent much of her life collecting and studying antiques, the list goes on.

Betty looked out and cared for her husband and soul mate of 62 years, Nelson JR, her five sons and her mother.

However, it is with deepest sorrow that we share the passing of such a great and loving mother, Betty Mae Curl.

May God Bless her as she reunites with her sweetheart JR, who passed on April 1, 2008, and her son Mike, who passed on May 20, 2008.

In Remembrance and Honor of Nelson JR Curl, Michael R. Curl and Betty Mae Curl.

With all our Love, Eternal Thanks and Gratitude,

Mason W. Curl and The Curl Family

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

Published by St. Augustine Record from Jun. 12 to Jun. 13, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Betty Curl

4 Entries

Kevin Curl

June 20, 2008

LUKE 11:30

Robert Gidel, Jr.

June 19, 2008

Betty Curl was my Aunt, my Father's Sister. She was a Kind, Intelligent, and Loving Lady who was my second Mom. She would tell interesting stories of her childhood in Illinois, her various jobs that included; in Decatur, Illinois working with soy beans and penicillin research, in Miami, Florida working for a Judge and in Long Island, New York for a profitable Real Estate company. But the real joy of her life was being a very devoted wife to her beloved late husband, Nelson JR. I always admired the close relationship they both had. I have fond memories of visiting them and my cousins in their various homes over the years from Miami to Douglaston Manor, Long Island then to Lake Worth near Palm Beach and finally to Betty's favorite home on Cresent Beach in St. Augustine. Always a "good time to be had by all" - in all those "grand" home locations. She loved her "favorite chair" overlooking the Atlantic in her Cresent Beach condo!
Betty had a love for antiques and collectables and during my visits we would always go looking and shopping. She had a fondness for what she called, "Garage Sailing".
During my numerous visits, there was always the "best" food to look forward to from her kitchen, or if not cooking that day, we would visit the best restaurants in the area. I have the best memories associated with food while being with the Curl's!

Aunt Betty will be greatly missed during the rest of my life! But I know she is with JR and son Michael and brother Bob in Heaven, planning for the reunion that we will have in the future.

With Love, Bob

Judi & John Johnson

June 12, 2008

We spent many happy hours playing bridge with Betty and JR when we lived in St. Augustine. They kept us entertained with stories of the 'boys' and all their travels/sojourns. She was a grand lady. Even though we moved from St. Augustine back to CA 10+ years ago, we thought highly - and often - of our friends, the Curls. Blessings to the family of this delightful lady!

Mason Curl

June 12, 2008

Dearest Mom,
Thank you, for your blessed gift of life, for the times you comforted me & cared for me when I was sick, hurt or feeling down. Thank you, for bathing & clothing me when I was a child. For the endless meals you prepared to nourish & help me grow. For the timeless wisdom & wit you imparted to me as we shared talking about Life.
For the opportunities you & Dad gave me throughout my life.
Thank you for your endless supply of love, caring & special gifts you gave to me during my life.
It is with pride & eternal love that
I will continue to honor & remember your precious Life.
All my Love, Mason
Betty - origin "God's Promise"
John 1:5
May Almighty God continue to Bless JR, Betty, Mike, all of our Ancestors,
Friends & Family who are mourning.

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