Betty Lou Haynes

Betty was born on April 4, 1930, to Clarence and Elisabeth (Allen) Bay in Clare, Michigan and was the oldest of six children. She and her siblings grew up on a farm in Clare, MI where the family home did not have indoor plumbing. She started school in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Clare High School in 1947. Betty then worked at Central Michigan University in the Athletic Department doing accounting work, continuing in this field with AD Swartztrauber & Company in Waukegan, Illinois until her retirement.

She married Stanley Haynes in late 1961 and lived in housing on several Naval bases, before settling in Wildwood, Illinois.

Coming from humble beginnings, Betty was a hard worker in all aspects of her life. In addition to outside employment and maintaining a home, she enjoyed gardening and maintaining their yard, activities she continued until she was nearly 90! Betty and Stan also supported their children, cheering at many sporting, marching band and concert band events, along with volunteering with the Boy Scouts Troop #71 in Wildwood, Illinois. She also found time to enjoy life, eating ice cream nearly every day and working on jigsaw puzzles.

She was an independent woman and ahead of her time. At the age of twenty-seven she purchased a cottage, on her own, on School Section Lake in Mecosta, Michigan. Over the years, the family has enjoyed many beautiful summer days there with her.

Betty read multiple papers, delivered to her house daily. This made her a knowledgeable and informed person. She was a liberal minded woman with low tolerance for what she deemed foolishness and had strong opinions on most issues.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Haynes, her parents, her brothers Larry Bay (Florence), Norris Bay (Sharron), Don Bay (Bettie) and Loren Bay.

She is survived by her sister Sharon (Bay) Renney, her children Mark Haynes (Jane), Beth Haynes (Dave Pacheco), two grandchildren Liz Haynes (Ana De La Ossa) and Kathryn Haynes, along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She especially loved her grandchildren and attended as many of their activities as she could. She was loved by her large family and will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Michigan.