Elizabeth M. Foote

Elizabeth M. (Betty) Foote was born on October 26, 1921 to Katherine and Harry Moreland in Harrington Kansas. The Morelands moved to Kent in 1926. Betty and her younger sister Mary (Joyce) grew up on Highland Avenue. She attended Kent State High School and Kent State University. During the war and the early postwar years she worked for Twin Coach and Davey Compressor. Shortly after the war she reconnected with high school classmate Richard (Dick) Foote who had returned from service in the South Pacific. They married in 1947. Betty and Dick had seven children. From the 1940's through the 70's their lives were dedicated to providing for and supporting their children in many ways. Betty returned to the employment world, and worked for years with the Norton Company in Ravenna.

The family lived for 55 years on Earl Avenue. There Dick maintained a substantial vegetable garden, and Betty cooked and canned many of its products. Betty was a longtime member of the St. Patrick Parish. She enjoyed her participation in the Kent Coterie. She shared Dick's "never met a stranger" demeanor. An annual family highlight was the trip to the Thousand Island Region of upstate New York.

Dick died in the summer of 2009. Betty continued to live independently with the regular support from daughter Carol, and sons Richard and Fred, and friend/home health aide, Mary Wiechec until taking a spill in the fall of 2013. She valued visits from her children and grandchildren who were dispersed across the country. She also regularly presided over Earl Avenue from her position on the house front porch. Neighbors and friends old and new regularly stopped to visit.

Betty bore her injury and decline with optimism, courage, and a large dose of frustration. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister Mary. She is survived by her children Mary Kay Kilgore (Peter) of Las Vegas, Fred (Carol) of Cincinnati, Beth of San Francisco, Richard (Diane) of Aurora, Barbara Springer (Dan) of Kelseyville, Ca., Jim of Winder, Ga., and Carol (Brian White) of Kent, 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The Foote Family would like to thank Kent Health care/Advanced Rehab, and Robinson Memorial Hospital Palliative Care/Hospice for their tender loving care. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Family and Community Services of Portage County, 143 Gougler Avenue, Kent, OH 44240 or the St. Patrick's School Endowment Fund, 127 Portage Street, Kent, OH 44240. Calling hours will be 6-8 PM Thursday, March 27th at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home in Kent. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, March 28th at St. Patrick Church in Kent.