Betty Jean Bonetti

Matriarch and Storyteller, Betty Jean Bonetti, 84, died Monday, November 28, 2016 at her home in Longwood, Florida, with her daughter, Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Crystal, by her side. Born in Brooklyn, New York on July 4, 1932, Betty had the opportunity to live in a neighborhood with a community of friends, spend time with and cherish her family (especially her two daughters, her brothers, Bobby and Larry, and her Aunt Liddy), attend plays at world renowned theaters with the most talented actors, musicians, and singers of the time (before TV), be politically active in campaigns for issues, policies, and leaders that she believed in, work, entertain, and give those she cared about a “hard time.” In 1977, Betty and her husband moved to Winter Park, Florida with their daughters. They had made a yearly family trip to their cottage, lake, and orange groves in Clermont over the last few years and decided to make Florida their new home. With her children now grown, Betty was excited to be able to start working again and got a job at Winter Pines Golf Club, where some of the best times of her life were spent. Over the 23 years she was there, she created lasting and treasured relationships. Once she retired, she would mention how much she missed it often. She had a way with telling stories and jokes, recited poetry, sang songs, danced, and could take over any room with her humor and enthusiasm. All the way until her final days, her quick wit, feistiness, enthusiasm, and comedic attitude was adored by all, and drew many everlasting and devoted friends to her over her lifetime. Betty is survived by her brother, Larry Clark, two daughters, Charlotte Bonetti and Elizabeth Hiers, her son-in-laws, Richard Hiers and Jonathan Smith, and her two Grandchildren, Crystal Arellano and Ricky Hiers. “Luckily,” as she would say, her “good gene,” of intelligence, grace, good looks, and wit, skipped over her two daughters and was passed on to her favorite granddaughter and favorite grandson. An animal lover, Betty bestowed her attitude of stewardship, caring, and nurturing for all living things onto her family, which was passed down to her as a child. She leaves behind (in the care of her daughter and son in law) her beloved dog, Boomer, and five cats, Pikachu, Sam, Cuddles, Jigglypuff, and, her favorite, Peach. With honor and admiration, Betty’s surviving family and friends hold her close to their hearts and feel blessed to have had such a bright, loving, and devoted sister, mother, nana, and friend. She will be forever in their lives through their thoughts, memories, traditions, and stories. “How lucky I am to have something which makes saying goodbye so hard” - Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne) Services will be held at, 1:00pm on Saturday, Dec 10, 2016 Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church 869 Maitland Avenue Altamonte Springs, FL, US, 32701 Should friends and family desire, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Pet Rescue by Judy 401 South Laurel Avenue Sanford, FL 32771 (407) 302-4497

Betty Jean Bonetti

July 4, 1932 - November 28, 2016