Elizabeth J. (McCall) (Abrams) Athey, On Sunday, March 23 2014, Betty, as she was far better known, left this world to join family and friends who have passed before her. She was born on September 23, 1923 to Thomas and Lilly (Zartman) McCall in East Palestine, Ohio. She was proceeded in death by her husbands, Augustus (Gus) Abrams who passed in 1968 and Paul Athey who died in 1992; sisters Florence, Dorothy and Kathleen and her brother Brian. Surviving are her brother Thomas “Kernel” (Fran) McCall, Virginia; daughters Kathleen (John) Laing, Prescott, AZ; Patricia (Greg) Meagher Scottsdale, AZ and sons Jim (Colleen) Abrams, Forest, OH and John Abrams, Mesa, AZ. Also remembering her are grandchildren Linda (Michael) McBrayer, St. Paul, MN; Dr. Eric (Kelly) Hick, Dayton, OH; Lance Hick, Las Vegas, NV; Peter Laing, Phoenix, AZ; Athena Doornbos, Phoenix, AZ as well as great grandchildren Damon McBrayer, St. Paul MN and brothers Connor, Jack and Ben Hick, Dayton, OH. After retiring Betty and Paul moved from New Waterford, OH to Holiday Village in Mesa, AZ where they enjoyed the ever-present summer weather. She volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul Charities, was active at Resurrection Catholic Church serving as a Eucharistic Minister and helped teach various line and tap dancing at the Holiday Village Social Center. There are rumors that video of some of the dance recitals still exist though one son is hoping to destroy them while Bubbles and Bam-Bam plan to make copies. Those who remember Betty will recall her fondness for a cold beer with her pizza while challenging all comers to a game of Euchre in which she would instruct and chastise all. Most of us believe she cheated though we never could prove it. Her father, an umpire, instilled a keen interest in baseball and it was one of Betty’s favorite pastimes throughout her life. She often scolded American League followers that they weren’t watching baseball until the league started letting the pitchers swing the bat. She loved dogs and often doted over her families’ pets as much as she did the grandkids and, depending on the mood of the kids, maybe more so. Christmas cards and gifts were never forgotten for either. While we will miss her being around us on earth, we know that she will visit each of us every day as long as the D-Backs aren’t playing. Arrangements are being made by Lakeshore Mortuary, Mesa AZ. www.LakeshoreMort.com. Funeral Masses will be held at Resurrection Catholic Church, Mesa AZ and at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church, Carey, OH. In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to: Teddy’s Rescue, Inc., 12409 County Road 99, Findlay, OH 45840 or online at www.teddysrescue.org or Arizona Animal Welfare League, 30 N. 40th Pl., Phoenix, AZ 85034 or online at www.aawl.org.
Arrangements under the direction of Lakeshore Mortuary, Mesa, AZ.