Elizabeth L "Betty" Curti
March 31st, 1926 to January 27th, 2016
Elizabeth Lorena “Betty” Curti, 89, of Fort Gratiot, died Wednesday, January 27, 2016 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
She was born March 31, 1926 in Holland, Michigan to the late Florence and Benjamin Van Lente. Following graduation from Holland High, she went on to receive a Music degree from Hope College. On August 17, 1949, Betty and Eleazar “Chal” Curti married in Holland. Before settling in Port Huron in 1954, Betty and Chal worked together in migrant mission programs in Texas and Indiana.
Betty was a piano instructor and also served as church pianist, organist, and solo accompanist. She was an extraordinarily gifted musician, music composer, poet, writer, seamstress, oil and water color artist and greatly appreciated the nature surrounding her at her home on State Road. She generously shared her talents with anyone and everyone. It was a joy to hear the sounds of spiritual music, Brahms, Gershwin, or Augustin Lara floating around the house or to gaze upon her wonderful works of art. Receiving a “happy birthday” piano serenade phone call or customized card complete with poetry and drawings delighted family and friends.
Betty has been a member of First United Methodist Church, Music Teachers Association, International Symphony committee, SC4 Faculty alumni group, and a charter member, along with husband Chal, of Port Huron International Club. A commitment to family ties and developing bonds with other cultures were important components of Betty’s life, as evidenced by her travels especially to the Holland/Spring Lake area, Mexico, and homes of Emily, Lilia, Ben, Martha. She also visited the entire continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Europe. She was always very supportive of and hosted various SC4 exchange students at the Curti home.
Betty possessed a unique heart of gold and was someone who influenced countless individuals through the years in her gentle, positive, intuitive, humorous manner. She leaves behind an undying legacy to younger generations that begins with a sustaining faith in God and a heart full of gratitude. Her family members are grateful for the years of constant and tender expressions of a mother’s and grandmother’s love and also, to have shared in the opportunity to be caregivers for her in their homes during the last years.
Betty is survived by her children, Emily (Frederick) Letts of Bradenton, Florida, Lilia (James) Richards of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Benjamin (Nanette) Curti of Clemmons, North Carolina and Martha (John) Nowakowski of Fort Gratiot; her grandchildren, Anthony Letts, Joshua (Janessa) Letts, Benjamin (Alysia) Richards, Lena (Kevin Sturm), Elise Curti, Andrew Curti, Celeste Curti, Annette Curti, Lorena (Jose) Mendez, Carson Nowakowski, Lewis Nowakowski, and Rodolfo Nowakowski; and great-grandchildren, Metta and Reylyn Richards and Kylah and Leighton Sturm. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eleazar Curti, on June 12, 1996, and her siblings, Doris Slager, Paul Van Lente, Donald Van Lente, and Harold Van Lente.
Visitation will be 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016 in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home.
Burial will take place in Woodland Cemetery, Port Huron Township.
Memorials may be made to Blue Water Hospice or Global Partners (For Jose and Lorena Mendez Mission trip to Nicaragua) c/o the Mendez, 3852 Spartan Drive, Ft. Gratiot, MI 48059.
She was born March 31, 1926 in Holland, Michigan to the late Florence and Benjamin Van Lente. Following graduation from Holland High, she went on to receive a Music degree from Hope College. On August 17, 1949, Betty and Eleazar “Chal” Curti married in Holland. Before settling in Port Huron in 1954, Betty and Chal worked together in migrant mission programs in Texas and Indiana.
Betty was a piano instructor and also served as church pianist, organist, and solo accompanist. She was an extraordinarily gifted musician, music composer, poet, writer, seamstress, oil and water color artist and greatly appreciated the nature surrounding her at her home on State Road. She generously shared her talents with anyone and everyone. It was a joy to hear the sounds of spiritual music, Brahms, Gershwin, or Augustin Lara floating around the house or to gaze upon her wonderful works of art. Receiving a “happy birthday” piano serenade phone call or customized card complete with poetry and drawings delighted family and friends.
Betty has been a member of First United Methodist Church, Music Teachers Association, International Symphony committee, SC4 Faculty alumni group, and a charter member, along with husband Chal, of Port Huron International Club. A commitment to family ties and developing bonds with other cultures were important components of Betty’s life, as evidenced by her travels especially to the Holland/Spring Lake area, Mexico, and homes of Emily, Lilia, Ben, Martha. She also visited the entire continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Europe. She was always very supportive of and hosted various SC4 exchange students at the Curti home.
Betty possessed a unique heart of gold and was someone who influenced countless individuals through the years in her gentle, positive, intuitive, humorous manner. She leaves behind an undying legacy to younger generations that begins with a sustaining faith in God and a heart full of gratitude. Her family members are grateful for the years of constant and tender expressions of a mother’s and grandmother’s love and also, to have shared in the opportunity to be caregivers for her in their homes during the last years.
Betty is survived by her children, Emily (Frederick) Letts of Bradenton, Florida, Lilia (James) Richards of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Benjamin (Nanette) Curti of Clemmons, North Carolina and Martha (John) Nowakowski of Fort Gratiot; her grandchildren, Anthony Letts, Joshua (Janessa) Letts, Benjamin (Alysia) Richards, Lena (Kevin Sturm), Elise Curti, Andrew Curti, Celeste Curti, Annette Curti, Lorena (Jose) Mendez, Carson Nowakowski, Lewis Nowakowski, and Rodolfo Nowakowski; and great-grandchildren, Metta and Reylyn Richards and Kylah and Leighton Sturm. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eleazar Curti, on June 12, 1996, and her siblings, Doris Slager, Paul Van Lente, Donald Van Lente, and Harold Van Lente.
Visitation will be 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016 in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home.
Burial will take place in Woodland Cemetery, Port Huron Township.
Memorials may be made to Blue Water Hospice or Global Partners (For Jose and Lorena Mendez Mission trip to Nicaragua) c/o the Mendez, 3852 Spartan Drive, Ft. Gratiot, MI 48059.
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