Betty Jane Fennell
January 22, 1927 — January 25, 2016
Betty's mother was a Metropolitan Opera Singer. When she went to New York Betty was sent to the Masonic Home in Covina, Calif, this was during the depression in 1936. This is where she meet her best friends Bob Wilson ans Adele Monk. At 16 Betty left and move to Michigan to be with her mother and sister Joann. Where she went to nursing school. She met Mr. Reynolds who she married since all the young men were going off to war all the young girls wanted a husband. In June 1945 she had a little boy Gary. Mr. Reynolds died later that year.
She move to Louisville, Ky again with her mother. Where she meet Joe Heck and married in November 1947. Joe was called back into the Navy for the Koren War so they returned to Long Beach to be with Mama Jess her grandmother. In March of 1952 they had a little girl Gayle. In July of 1954 they and another little girl Joyce. Joe worked for North American as an engineer on missiles, so they moved to Cape Canaveral,Fla in 1955. In 1956 they returned to Long Beach. 1957 they family moved to a new town Garden Grove. This is where Betty became a true Fan of Disneyland. She worked at the Saga Motel across the street from Disneyland and had a Red jacket that would get her into the park anytime free.
In 1961 the family again moved back to Florida and settles in Cocoa Beach. Betty became the city manager's secretary for a few years. We watched all the astronauts go into space. Her favorite was John Glenn. The entire town came out to greet Glenn into their town. They painted a red carpet on the road and all the school children lined the streets dressed in red,white and blue waving flags. The motorcade stopped where Betty was carrying a sign" We Are Proud Of You John". She got to shake Glenn's hand and even got her picture in the local newspaper.
Her next venture was as a director for the American Cancer Society (15) years. Betty and Joe divorced in 1968.
She met Garnett (Bunt ) Fennell and they married in April 1970. They lived in Okeechobee, Fla for a few years where she taught high school. They moved to St. Petersburg ,Fla.since Bunt needed medical treatment at the VA. This is where she got involved with doing tours and traveling. She started Tours by BJ and took people all over the world. Her favorite place was Alaska, It was nothing for Betty to hop a plane and fly across country to see her kids or go north to New York and New Jersey to visit with her Niece's and Nephew. Bunt died in 1991 but they has 21 years together.
In March of 1992 Gayle flew out to move Betty back to California so she would be closer to all her children who had settled there. They drove her Red Buick and had a wonderful trip stopping in New Orleans to enjoy the French Quarters, square donuts,where they had a charcoal portrait done by a street artist. They had Dinner at Antoine's and Breakfast at Brennan's. She was always touring everyone and knew where to take them for the best experience.
In 1994 Gayle's husband Buck died so BJ and Gayle found a house large enough for the two of them. Here she lived for 15 years, enjoying her friends and family. She saw the birth of her grand children Nick and Sami along with her great grandchildren Taegen, Airenn,Bailey and Michael. Betty loved her grand children and especially loved her great grandchildren.
Betty She didn't stop traveling she start doing tours here in California and was always off to somewhere.
By the time 2004 rolled around she was finally starting to age and couldn't go all the time. She let the Diabetes take control of her body and it started failing. She fell and broke her ankle 2011 ,had surgery went to rehab,but never really recovered. She lived at the nursing home til she passed in 2016
Even to the end Betty was always happy and smiling. She Loved her family very much.
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