Elizabeth Ellen Theisen

Ms. T's final curtain call: Elizabeth Ellen “Betty “ Theisen, 88, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, April 11, 2011 at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A.M. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may call from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with the Rosary recited at 7:30 P.M. Memorials may be made in Betty's name to Birthright of St. Joseph, 2700 Niles Ave., St. Joseph. Those wishing to sign Betty's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Betty was known as Miss T to the thousands of students and their families in Three Oaks and St. Joseph. She taught for 43 years mostly at St. Joseph High School where she also loved to direct plays and musicals. Everywhere she went she was greeted by those who loved Miss T. Betty also had a group of loyal and treasured neighbors and friends. They worked, traveled and played together, shared meals, theater and musical performances, and enjoyed the Silver Beach sunsets. Betty was born May 19, 1922 in the family home on Pearl St. in St. Joseph to Anthony and Grace (White) Theisen. She received her teaching degree at Sienna Heights College and her Master's Degree from the University of Michigan. She was a life-long member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph. In her retirement, she was an active volunteer at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Birthright of St. Joseph, Lakeland Hospital, Krasl Art Center and the Heritage Museum & Cultural Center. She was Aunt Betty to the Daly, Theisen, McCauley and Wolff children and their families. Betty is survived by her cousin and best friend, Margaret Lattin, nieces and nephews-Bill and Susan Theisen of Sodus, Charlene and Robert Durfee of Coloma, Jack and Jackie Theisen of Peru, NY, Pat and John Seward of Kalamazoo, Tim and Elaine Theisen of Benton Harbor, Michael and Margaret Daly of England, Mary Grace Woodley of Chicago, Pete and Cam Daly of Grand Rapids, Matt and Pam Daly of Fennville, Mark Daly of Oregon, Joe Daly of Hart, Liz and Angelo Napolitano of East Lansing, Jon and Christi Daly of Pentwater, Bill and Kim Daly of California, Ann and Randy Herrygers of Shelby, and Kathleen and Paul Stuart of Marquette, 34 great and 12 great-great nieces and nephews. She loved and was grateful to her friends and care-givers Ken and Dee Cunningham and the staff at Royalton Manor and Hospice at Home, St. Joseph. Besides her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Theisen and his wife, Mary Daly Theisen, and her sister, Rita Theisen Daly and her husband Peter Daly.