Betty Lou (Riley) Wardell |
| Posted 2008-12-16 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Monday, June 11, 2007 Betty Lou Wardell, 77, joined her heavenly father on June 4, 2007, after a long illness. At the time of her death, she resided in Prescott, Ariz. Betty Lou was born on April 19, 1930, in Belvedere, Ill., the daughter of Charles F. and Ida Mae (Messick) Riley. Although born in Belvedere, she grew up in Rockford, Ill. Following her graduation from East Rockford High School, class of '48, she attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. While attending Cornell, she met Richard (Dick) Wardell, from Freeport, Ill. She and Dick, the love of her life, were joined in marriage on Oct. 27, 1951. Their family included two sons. From 1968 to 1981, Betty Lou was a Realtor in Miami and Coral Gables, Fla. She was very triumphant in her career and was awarded the highly successful achievement of "Million Dollar Producer." Betty Lou enjoyed playing bridge, reading and working crossword puzzles. She also enjoyed traveling and actively traveled within the U.S., Europe and Australia. She enjoyed sports and in addition to spending time on the golf course with her husband, she was an avid Miami Dolphins fan and Phoenix Suns fan. From the start of the season to the end, she never missed watching the Dolphins and the Suns play and even while in the hospital she watched and stayed on top of the recent Suns play off games. Betty Lou is survived by Richard (Dick) Wardell, her loving and caring husband of 56 years; her son Jay Wardell and daughter-in-law, Michael Messick-Wardell of Cave Creek, Ariz.; and her son Brian Wardell of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her sister Linda Johnson of Mineral Wells, Texas; her sister-in-law Shirley Riley of Mineral Wells, Texas; four aunts; two uncles; and numerous cousins. Betty Lou is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles Riley. A celebration of Betty Lou's life will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 22, at the Arizona Wakelin Funeral Home of Cortez Street. A private cremation was at Bradshaw Crematory in Prescott Valley. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made in Betty Lou's name to the American Heart Association, 2929 South 48th St., Tempe, AZ 85382. Arizona Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with the final arrangements. Information provided by survivors. ------------------- Rockford Register Star, Rockford, Illinois Saturday, June 30, 2007 Betty Lou Wardell, 77, Prescott, Arizona, joined her heavenly father June 4, 2007, after a long illness. At the time of her death she resided in Prescott, Ariz. Betty Lou was born April 19, 1930, in Belvidere, Ill., the daughter of Charles F. and Ida Mae (Messick) Riley. Although born in Belvidere, she grew up in Rockford, Ill. After her graduation from East High School, Rockford, class of 1948, she attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. While attending Cornell, she met Richard "Dick" Wardell, class of 1945, from Freeport, Ill. She and Dick, the love of her life, were joined in marriage Oct. 27, 1951. Their family included two sons. Betty Lou is survived by Richard "Dick" Wardell, her loving and caring husband of 56 years; her son, Jay Wardell and daughter-in-law, Michael Messick-Wardell of Cave Creek, Ariz. and son, Brian Wardell of Scottsdale, Ariz. A Celebration of Betty Lou's life was at 11 a.m. Friday, June 22, in Arizona Wakelin Funeral Home, Prescott. A private cremation was in Bradshaw Crematory, Prescott Valley. |
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