Betty A. Harlan

Betty Harlan went home to be with her Lord and love of her life, Roger, on November 21, 2009. She is at peace.

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Betty was born January 25, 1935 in St. Anthony Hospital and it was here that we said our earthly good-byes. As a lifelong Rockford resident, Betty grew up on Horace Avenue in a family of three children and two dogs, Lady and Prince, the daughter of Frank Yates and Eily Miles Yates. She attended Ellis, Roosevelt and graduated from West Middle School in 1953, and would have attended the Chicago Art Institute had finances permitted. In her youth Betty honed her artistic skills and played baseball. Her best friend, Brother Jerry, spent hours with her in their roles as Alcas and Cameronce creating their imaginary world.

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Betty and Roger lived a block from each other as children, falling in love after a trip to the ice cream store in 1954 and then marrying at St. Johns United Methodist Church on May 19, 1956. They entertained 100 guests at the YMCA Log Lodge and honeymooned at Mackinaw Island---too cold for Betty as we all know cold was not her thing! They were each others soul mates for 47 years, constantly at each others sides until Roger passed away in 2003.

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Betty worked much of her life, pausing to raise her children, as she was a fully devoted mother and wife. She worked as a dental assistant for Dr.Sowell, bookkeeper at First National Bank, assistant personnel director at Borg Warner, curator at the Rockford Art Museum and partner in Harlan Accounting. She volunteered for many organizations, specifically enjoying the last several months tutoring at Marsh School. Woodcarving, paper cutting, interior design, painting and anything artistic were a pure joy for her. She also pursued an avid interest in genealogy, having traced her English roots, back several centuries. She loved art, children and animals for her entire life.

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Betty is survived by her children, Greg (Sherry) Harlan, Carol (Steve) Walters, grandchildren, Jimmy, Elizabeth, Kayla and Andrew, brother, Jerry (Mary) Yates of Buffalo, New York, sister in law, Ginny Yates, and several nieces and nephews and her constant companion and best bud, Hope the terrier. Predeceased by her husband Roger, her parents, her brother Jim and granddaughter Angela Nicole.

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Funeral services will be at Christ United Methodist Church, 4509 Highcrest Rd, on Tuesday November 24, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Cindy Marino officiating. Interment in Arlington Memorial Park. Visitation Monday, November 23, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and continues Tuesday in the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Memorials can be given to her church, Christ United Methodist Church or to the Betty A. Harlan Artistic Fund, c/o the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. Express online condolences at: www.fitzgeraldfh.com