- Please use “comments” below for memories and messages.
Betty Lou Massing, 85, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2008, at Heartland Regional Medical Center. Betty was born September 25, 1922, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to William Grover Pollock and Grace A. (Ash) Pollock. She was a graduate of Central High School. She was a homemaker, and served as a volunteer at Heartland Hospital and The Midland Empire Arthritis Center.
Betty was an inspiration to anyone who knew her. Betty suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis and although she was in pain almost daily for close to 50 years of her life she never openly complained. She was an amazingly strong woman who was determined to survive in her home as long as she could and was surrounded by her “family” of dolls as well as watermelon memorabilia for which she had an incredible passion. Although she was plagued with many disabilities, her positive attitude and sense of humor has set an example for those who knew her to remain strong even when life has dealt you many crosses to bear.
Remember to tell those that you care for that you love them, for they may not be with you tomorrow. She may be gone from this world but she will be forever in our hearts. Mom, we will miss you every day and we will never forget your fine examples to follow in life to just do what is right.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, William ”Bill” Pollock; and her husband Edward Leo Massing. Survivors include three sons, Larry A. Massing, Michael D. Massing and David S. “Ferg” Massing; three granddaughters, Cindy, Autumn and Joey; three grandsons, Bobby, Kenny and Link; three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. An additional survivor is Daniel Eckhoff, whom Betty considered to be a “chosen” adopted son and best friend.
Per her wishes, Betty was cremated. A celebration of her life was held on Sunday, September 28th, 2008. Inurnment at a later date.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Arthritis Community Services, 802 N. Riverside Road, Ste. 225, St. Joseph, MO 64507.
by David S. “Ferg” Massing
I came across this poem and it reminded me of Miss Betty I see this picture of her smiling it makes me smile too
Smile Virus
By Russel H. Conwell
Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu.
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling, too.
I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin
when he smiled, I realized I’d passed it on to him!
I thought about that smile and then realized its worth,
a single smile, just like mine, could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected,
let’s start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!
Comment by Michael — September 28, 2008 @ 9:47 pm |
Michael,
You have my sympathy and my prayers at the
time of your mother’s death. You’ve included
a great photo of her that is pretty much the
way I remember her–with a little more gray.
I have some fond memories of her as well.
Take care of yourself in the coming months.
Glen
Comment by Glen Strobel — September 29, 2008 @ 5:35 am |
Although I never met Betty my grandfather Bill Pollock told me much about her. The amazing part to me is that they seem to have many similarities in their facial features.
You have my sympathy.
Distant relative,
Chris Rose
Comment by Chris Rose — February 4, 2009 @ 1:21 pm |
I remember as a child in my Aunt Betty’s home a beautiful and wonderful collection of dolls in a glass case, I remember a person who seemed to care a lot about her “boys” and smiled a great deal. When my father, Aunt Betty’s brother died, April 18, 2004, I had the awful job of calling his sister, Aunt Betty. We both cried and I talked and talked to this wonderful, caring, faithful lady. I then started writing and calling my Aunt Betty pretty regularly; and as she could she wrote me back; diffucult due to the arthritis in her hands. I enjoyed sending flowers and such because it was done, faithfully by my dad, Bill, her brother. I always wanted her to know she had a “connection” of family here in N.C. and she sure was a pleasure to talk with. I found every conversation with Aunt Betty to be inspirational and her strength was not so much in her body but in her mind and her very being. She spoke kindly and caring with the cutest humor I came to love very much. I wish her sons well and hope your memories remain vivid. Sincerely, “Trish” Rose
Comment by Trish Rose (Patricia Lee Pollock Rose) — February 5, 2009 @ 5:47 pm |
Dear Cousin Chris,
It is a shame our families lost touch; your Pollock grandparents, my Uncle Bill and Aunt Jan, were great friends. My brother Larry was particularly fond of Uncle Bill. We have some family films from that time transferred to video, perhaps we can arrange for your getting a copy some time.
Thanks for the sympathetic wishes.
All the best,
Michael Massing
Comment by Michael Massing — February 5, 2009 @ 9:02 pm |
Dear Cousin Trish,
Thanks for your memories, your thoughtful tribute, and especially for your remembering and keeping in touch with your Aunt Betty while she lived. I know she treasured being able to be part of the lives of those who reached out to her, and am happy to hear that you found the conversations with her both inspirational and a pleasure. Thanks for the good wishes.
All the best,
Michael
Comment by Michael Massing — February 5, 2009 @ 9:16 pm |
By chance, a friend and I were going through photos on the anniversary of Mom’s death. I gave him some of him and his stepmother, who also passed last year. He also asked for a print of a photo of Mom from one of her visits to San Francisco. I was happy to give it to him after making this scan:
http://bettymassing.wordpress.com/?attachment_id=54
Best to all,
M.
Comment by Douglas Michael Massing — July 27, 2009 @ 1:00 am |