Elizabeth Serpe

Elizabeth (Betty) Boyer Serpe, a native and longtime resident of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Michigan area passed away on October 6, 2010 in Sarasota, Florida. She and her husband of fifty-nine years, Eugene J. Serpe, relocated to Venice, Florida in 1994, but maintained their connections with family and friends throughout the years, and returned to the area annually. Betty is survived by her husband, Eugene Serpe, of Venice, Florida; her son, Michael Serpe of New Haven, Connecticut; and daughter Mary Beth Goddard of Sarasota, Florida, who is married to Bradley Goddard. A son, Timothy Boyer Serpe was deceased as an infant in 1954. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Timothy M. Serpe, Kate Serpe Besescheck, and Patrick E. Serpe all of New Haven, Connecticut; Elizabeth Goddard and William Goddard of Sarasota, Florida; and great-grand daughter Lola M. Serpe. Betty was born in Benton Harbor, the daughter of William C. Boyer and Mary Radke. Her father passed away in 1931. Her mother later remarried G. Cyril McMullen of Chicago (deceased in 1969). Her mother also passed away on October 6, in 1991. Betty attended Benton Harbor public schools, and graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1947. In the early 1980's, she worked for the newly created organization – St. Joseph Today, and was instrumental in establishing many of the downtown special events that are still held. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Friday, October 29, 2010 at Starks and Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elizabeth Serpe can be made to: The Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitefield Ave., Sarasota, FL 34243. The Roskamp Institute is a non-profit organization devoted to finding cures for Alzheimer’s disease.