"In good Betts fashion, we thank you all for your love and support. We were grateful to be a part of this journey of love with one who knew how to do it so well. Mom said goodbye to each and every one of us and we to her a couple days before her passing. We sang old songs, shared memories, prayed and tended to her as she could hear us, but could no longer talk. It was an amazing passing with all of us there. On February 10 th, she let go to embrace the next journey. Farewell my mother. Infinite gratitude in my heart for all you have given us. May your feet be light as feathers, your heart free as birds and may your Spirit soar in infinite joy. Ellen"
In loving memory of
ELIZABETH McQUADE CARPENTER
May 24, 1919 - February 10, 2018
Elizabeth McQuade Carpenter, age 98, died peacefully at home surrounded in the care of her family on Saturday morning February 10, 2018.
Elizabeth was born on May 24, 1919 in Bay City, MI to Arthur Nicholas McQuade and Mary Catherine Cleary. At age 7, Bettys mom died and the family moved to Marquette to be with her mothers extended family. Betty and her siblings were cared for by her mothers three sisters and her dad on Champion Street. Aunt Nellie assured Betty, I will always take care of you.
Betty attended Baraga Grade School, followed by Baraga High School where she played piano and clarinet, demonstrating an exceptional talent for music.
After high school, in June of 1940, Betty graduated with her teaching degree from Northern State Teachers College, now Northern Michigan University. Her first teaching experience was in Manistique where she taught kindergarten from 1940 to 1942, before joining the Navy. She entered the Navy as a WAVE (Women Activated for Voluntary Emergency Services). Basic training was in Lakehurst, NJ and her first assignment as an aerographer was in Atlanta, GA in 1944. Following that, she signed up for overseas duty in Hawaii and embarked on a ship from San Francisco, CA. While in Hawaii, she had the opportunity to fly over the Island of Molokai and upon seeing the multitude of white crosses on the hill, she was deeply moved.
Returning to the United States, Betty spent three years teaching in Iron Mountain, MI, where she received her private and commercial pilots license in 1948. There she met Jack Oliver Carpenter and they were married on May 7, 1949 in Marquette. They settled in Duluth, MN and welcomed six of their eight children and two more followed in Waukesha, WI. After the youngest was five, Betty returned to teaching Special Education for the next 20 years. She valued each one of the children she worked with and found such joy and also a great sense of accomplishment teaching children with special needs.
In June of 1985, Betty retired from teaching and she and Jack chose to return to Marquette and settled in a log home on the shores of Lake Superior. They had six good years there before Jack died in 1991. Betty was fortunate to live the rest of her life there, with support from family.
Betty was preceded in death by her dad; Grandpa Mac; her sister, Patricia McQuade; her brother, Robert McQuade (Shirley); and her eldest son, Stephen Carpenter.
Betty is survived by her children, Mary Carpenter (George Stoewer) of Esko, MN, Clare Carpenter of Lafayette, CO, Daniel Carpenter (Ann) of Waukesha, WI, Jean Carpenter of Duluth, MN, Michael Carpenter of Dallas, TX, Matthew Carpenter of Marquette and Ellen Carpenter (Dana Teske) of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren, Nathan Carpenter (Anne), Erin Carpenter, Bridget Carpenter, Theresa Mergener (Marcus), Andrew Carpenter, Rachel Carpenter, Lai Xin Stoewer, Yiyuan Stoewer and Dolly Lazo (Victor); and five great grandchildren.
The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette, on Saturday, February 17th, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. with Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating. Bettys children will act as her escorts. A luncheon will follow the mass in the parish hall. Spring burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bettys name to Bay Cliff Health Camp, PO Box 310, Big Bay, MI 49808 or Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres, 1300 Co. Rd 492, Marquette, MI 49855.
Special thanks to Dr. Huffman and Marcie Snowaert, RN, as well as Linda Carlson, RN and Carol Blashill, RN of Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Carpenter family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"Just heard about Betty passing. My condolences to the family. I remember all the fun times at Uncle Franks cottage. Marcia Gibson (Helen Horton's daughter."
"Mary, Clair, Ellen, Dan, Mike, Mat, and Jean, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother, Betts. Mothers are a big part of children's lives. She was with you a long time and that is something for which you can be thankful. I think about all the times our families were together: Lake Vermilion, Duluth, and Waukesha. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Sarah Butler Schmidt"
"We have nothing but wonderful beautiful memories of Betty and all of our time spent together as families!. Betty went out of her way always to make our visits to the log cabin in Marquette an experience of a lifetime. Whether we were sitting and looking out the window at the woods, walking along the beach, or having a fire along the shoreline of Lake superior Betty made every experience memorable. The stories she could tell about the Mcquade family was like a history lesson back in time! The entire Voyles family was blessed with this strong friendship of a distant by miles Carpenter family!!! May the angels of Heaven welcome you into Paradise Betty!!!"
"Happy Valentine's Day in Heaven Elizabeth. God bless you. With sincere condolences to your family."
"My heart goes out to Betty's family. I have heard about you all through Betty's lifelong friendship with my mom, Pearl Goodman. Their footsteps in this life were often side-by-side, from NMU to first jobs, to marrying in the same year, on and on. Godspeed, Betty. "
"My Mom, Pearl Goodman, spoke so often of her friend that I believed she was in the roombut certainly always she was in my mothers heart. Now together again. Sorry sorry."
"Betty was such a lovely lady. She certainly leaves a legacy of love and kindness. May your fond memories bring your family comfort and peace today and always. With much sympathy , Shot Point friends, Lynn and Carol Hicks and Sally and Barry Wilson"
"Deep Condolences to entire family. Terry & I stopped to see her many times on our way to Mich Tech when our son Tom was in college there. Plus Terry & his hunting buddies would stop by on way up/or back home from Hunting in UP. Betty had an amazing life & was a beautiful lady. Prayers to all. Terry & Judy Horton "