Betty Jean McGranahan
Obituary
Betty Jean (Schimpf) McGranahan died January 12, 2023, at age 85. She was born on May 16, 1937, in Denver, Colorado. She married Kenneth J. McGranahan in December of 1959.
She is survived by her daughter, Kelly and her husband Tony Jezek of Tulsa; and daughter Lori and her husband Steve Song of Baltimore, Maryland. She is also survived by five beautiful grandchildren: Katherine (Jezek) and her husband, Colin Moore; Will and Kelsee Jezek; and Emily, Hannah, and McKenzie Song.
She is preceded in death by her wonderful husband, Kenneth J. McGranahan as well as her loving companion Doug Fox.
Betty graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley and was a devoted schoolteacher until she became a mom in 1964. One of her passions was helping students learn how to read and she worked for many years as a reading tutor. Always a lover of creativity, she pursued many artistic hobbies and even opened the Clay Shoppe in the 1980s. She enjoyed volunteering on the Altar Guild at St. John’s Episcopal Church and devoted many hours helping at the Tulsa Assistance League. An avid reader, Betty loved discussing books in Great Books as well as a monthly book club. She was also a Master Bridge Player and looked forward to a weekly, competitive game with friends.
The family expresses deep gratitude to Montereau and St. Francis Hospice for their kind and dedicated care to Betty in these last few months.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or The Parkinson’s Foundation. Services will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 11:00am at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Events
Tributes & Memories
Our family is eternally grateful for the loving, excellent and perfect lessons that Mrs. McGranahan gave our son, Jesse, at Yorktown for many years. His dyslexia made reading difficult and school painful, but Mrs. McGranahan helped him overcome his struggles so well. Writing in shaving cream and sand, finding stories he enjoyed for him to practice reading, and praise for his efforts each week meant the world to all of us! Jesse is now a highly successful Mechanical Engineer. I credit this amazing lady with giving him the tools he needed to succeed! Gratefully always, The Fate Family
Allison Fate
Thinking of you Kelly and your sweet family!
Beverly & Mike Tolson
Daughters are so much more than reflections of their mothers. God weaves a mothers qualities into who their daughters become in treasured ways. This mystery will continue through Betty’s legacy after she’s left her family behind. Betty truly was both beautiful and significant as evidenced by Lori’s love for others, including her own three daughters. May the designer of Betty’s legacy be near to her entire family for the remainder of your days here on earth.
Melanie Dengler
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Robert McGranahan
Q: What was one of your favorite qualities of Betty? A: Betty, loved studying the Bible. She was a dedicated student and took Christ out into her world.
Beth Dunkin