- Date Of Birth: January 3, 1940
- Date Of Death: February 17, 2014
- State: Indiana
Betty J. Stafford, beloved wife of Thomas R. Stafford, and devoted mother and grandmother, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2014. Born in Hammond, Indiana on Jan. 3, 1940, she graduated from Morton High School in 1957 and St. Margaret’s School of Nursing in 1960.
She is survived by her daughter, Anne, of Centerville, OH, mother of Katherine, Garrett and Hannah; Son, Andrew, of Carmel, IN, husband of Maryann and father of Nicholas, Daniel, Timothy and Jonathan; daughter, Melissa, of Greenville, MI, wife of Barton; and mother of Thomas; and son, Mark, of DeForest, WI, husband of Kathy and father of Rachel and Audrey. Betty is also survived by her sister, Lorraine Kessler of Montpelier, VT, and sister-in-law, Marilyn Bierman of Plainfield, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mildred Czech of Hammond, IN.
Betty thoroughly enjoyed her career as a registered nurse, with a special focus on occupational health. After moving to Granger in 1985, she became the nurse at Dodge Manufacturing for five years. After that, she worked at Michiana Community Hospital. She was also a life-long member of St. Margaret’s Alumni Association, and always remained true to the motto “Vita Aliis Vota” – Life Devoted to Others.
Betty raised her children in Hammond, and was an active member of the community and volunteer for the School City of Hammond, where she was named a PTA State Life Recipient in 1983. She also volunteered at St. Margaret’s House in downtown South Bend for 10 years. Betty was most passionate about her volunteer work at the University of Notre Dame, where she served as a knowledgeable and devoted tour guide at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart for more than 20 years.
