1945
Betty
2014
Betty L. Mcgaughey
August 1, 1945 — September 16, 2014
On September 16th, 2014, Betty Lou McGaughey, 69 passed away peacefully, surrounded by family after a courageous, nearly yearlong battle with lung cancer. Born in Beloit on August 1st, 1945 she and her twin sister Barbara, were a gift and a new beginning for her parents Ruth Lucille (Piper) of West Plains, MO and Ralph Guard of Beloit.
Betty's love of music was evident early in her life, learning piano from Francis McDonald, playing trombone in the high school band and performing as the drum majorette for BHS throughout high school which she was always very proud of. Throughout her life, she remained active in music whether it was playing piano, trombone, violin, organ, singing in a choir or just listening to Pandora while walking on the treadmill or enduring day long chemo treatments with her pals at the clinic.
After Betty graduated from Beloit High School in the Spring of 1963, she attended Emporia State University. She put her college endeavors on hold after a request for her hand in marriage by Max Lee McGaughey of Beloit. This union was sealed on April 12, 1964, exceeded 50 golden years this past April and remains enduring to this date.
Max and Betty embarked on a journey across the world compliments of the US Army. After receiving orders to his first assignment in Asmara Eretria Ethiopia East Africa, Betty, then 18, traveled from Beloit to Ethiopia to be with him. This of course was her first ever trip anywhere and she did it without the proper Visa! Shortly after this assignment, they welcomed their first child, Diana Sue, born November 6th, 1966 while stationed at Ft. Wolters, Texas. After being assigned to North Camp Drake in Japan, they welcomed their second child, Mark Lee, born on September 16th, 1970. Max and Betty continued traveling with the US Army for 21 ½ years until Max retired in 1985. They enjoyed other duty assignments in Turkey, Okinawa, Maryland and Germany. While serving as a military spouse, there were other adventures to places such as Taiwan, Philippine Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland. Max and Betty even danced a square dance in what was then the communist controlled East Germany near Check Point Charlie earning them a coveted badge.
Throughout Max's military career, Betty was a stay at home mom, switchboard operator, beautician, secretary, pianist for various formal military functions and of course pianist and choir member for numerous chapels around the globe. Betty enjoyed sewing and crochet and could often be found making prayer shawls or caps for chemo patients. She was also known for making leisure suits for her entire family; in the 70's of course!
After Max's retirement from the US Army, Betty and Max settled back in to life in Beloit. They were faithful members of the First Christian Church where Betty played piano, sang in the choir and was a member of various church groups. She also enjoyed club memberships with the Beloit Music Club and the Naomi Chapter #28 Order of the Eastern Star. Max and Betty became local business owners operating Betty's Ready to Wear for 5+ years and Beloit Gun & Pawn for 20+ years until they began their second retirement in the Fall of 2012.
Preceding her in death were Ruth and Ralph her beloved parents and nephew, Gregory Guard.
Survivors include her spouse Max of Beloit, daughter Diana Sue, husband Paul Kohler of San Antonio, TX and grandsons ET3 Cody A., US Navy currently serving in YokoSuka, Japan aboard the USS Curtis Wilbur and Chalon Lee of Kingsville, TX., her son Mark Lee, wife Naomi and grandsons Ethan and Conner all of East Grand Forks, MN. Her cherished twin sister Barbara Sue, and husband Robert Mitchell of Carlsbad CA and her dear brother Donald Guard and wife Marcia of Emporia, KS. Numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends will also miss and cherish the life of Betty.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, September 25 at the Beloit First Christian Church followed by burial in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Wednesday at the McDonald Funeral Home, with family present from 6-7:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First Christian Church Youth Group or Solomon Valley Hospice.
Betty's love of music was evident early in her life, learning piano from Francis McDonald, playing trombone in the high school band and performing as the drum majorette for BHS throughout high school which she was always very proud of. Throughout her life, she remained active in music whether it was playing piano, trombone, violin, organ, singing in a choir or just listening to Pandora while walking on the treadmill or enduring day long chemo treatments with her pals at the clinic.
After Betty graduated from Beloit High School in the Spring of 1963, she attended Emporia State University. She put her college endeavors on hold after a request for her hand in marriage by Max Lee McGaughey of Beloit. This union was sealed on April 12, 1964, exceeded 50 golden years this past April and remains enduring to this date.
Max and Betty embarked on a journey across the world compliments of the US Army. After receiving orders to his first assignment in Asmara Eretria Ethiopia East Africa, Betty, then 18, traveled from Beloit to Ethiopia to be with him. This of course was her first ever trip anywhere and she did it without the proper Visa! Shortly after this assignment, they welcomed their first child, Diana Sue, born November 6th, 1966 while stationed at Ft. Wolters, Texas. After being assigned to North Camp Drake in Japan, they welcomed their second child, Mark Lee, born on September 16th, 1970. Max and Betty continued traveling with the US Army for 21 ½ years until Max retired in 1985. They enjoyed other duty assignments in Turkey, Okinawa, Maryland and Germany. While serving as a military spouse, there were other adventures to places such as Taiwan, Philippine Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland. Max and Betty even danced a square dance in what was then the communist controlled East Germany near Check Point Charlie earning them a coveted badge.
Throughout Max's military career, Betty was a stay at home mom, switchboard operator, beautician, secretary, pianist for various formal military functions and of course pianist and choir member for numerous chapels around the globe. Betty enjoyed sewing and crochet and could often be found making prayer shawls or caps for chemo patients. She was also known for making leisure suits for her entire family; in the 70's of course!
After Max's retirement from the US Army, Betty and Max settled back in to life in Beloit. They were faithful members of the First Christian Church where Betty played piano, sang in the choir and was a member of various church groups. She also enjoyed club memberships with the Beloit Music Club and the Naomi Chapter #28 Order of the Eastern Star. Max and Betty became local business owners operating Betty's Ready to Wear for 5+ years and Beloit Gun & Pawn for 20+ years until they began their second retirement in the Fall of 2012.
Preceding her in death were Ruth and Ralph her beloved parents and nephew, Gregory Guard.
Survivors include her spouse Max of Beloit, daughter Diana Sue, husband Paul Kohler of San Antonio, TX and grandsons ET3 Cody A., US Navy currently serving in YokoSuka, Japan aboard the USS Curtis Wilbur and Chalon Lee of Kingsville, TX., her son Mark Lee, wife Naomi and grandsons Ethan and Conner all of East Grand Forks, MN. Her cherished twin sister Barbara Sue, and husband Robert Mitchell of Carlsbad CA and her dear brother Donald Guard and wife Marcia of Emporia, KS. Numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends will also miss and cherish the life of Betty.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Thursday, September 25 at the Beloit First Christian Church followed by burial in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Wednesday at the McDonald Funeral Home, with family present from 6-7:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the First Christian Church Youth Group or Solomon Valley Hospice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty L. Mcgaughey, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors