ELIZABETH "BETTY" HARP

HARP, ELIZABETH "BETTY", the Queen of Lingerie,

is probably doing what she loves best, fitting bras - to the angels in heaven. Mrs. Harp, the owner of Harp's Lingerie, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2010, three days short of her 94th birthday. She opened her first Harp's store in 1947 on Chene St. in Detroit. A master saleswoman, with a sense of style and a knack for making women feel beautiful, attributed to her great success. She owned stores in Hamtramck, Ferndale, Warren and finally, Birmingham. For 63 years she fit generations of mothers, daughters and granddaughters, six days a week - only resting on Sunday. Any woman who left her store, left with an uplift and a story to tell. Known for her youthful, cosmetically untouched face, wit and spunk. Her secret to life - "Eat very little, use Vaseline or olive oil as a face cream - work like hell and don't take crap from anyone." Wife of the late Elouis Harp; dear mother of Thomas G. Hardy (Patricia), Douglas A. Hardy (the late Geraldine and the late Patti) and Lewis W. Harp; grandmother of Kimberly Hickson (Bill), Lisa Hamill (Charles), Douglas H. Hardy, M.D. (Kate), Lanie Cosgrove (Dave), Leslie Hardy and Liz Hardy; great grandmother of Jeffrey, Peter and Michael Hickson, Jacqueline and Thomas Hamill. Cali, Erin and David Cosgrove and Grace and Abbey Hardy; sister of Evelyn and the late Edward, Alfred, Helen and Violet; also survived by dearest friend Jan Joity Karcho, a devoted sales staff and countless satisfied customers. Family will receive friends at A.J. Desmond & Sons (Vasu, Rodgers & Connell Chapel), 32515 Woodward (between 13-14 Mile) Sunday 1 p.m. until memorial service 5 p.m. Memorial tributes to The Basilica of St. Mary, 18100 Merriman Rd., Livonia, MI 48152 or the charity of donor's choice. View obituary and share memories at www.DesmondFuneralHome.com