BEATRICE WALSH

Beatrice Rae “Betty” Neff Walsh, age 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, April 10, 2016 at Cherry Meadows Hospice, with her beloved family at her side. She was born on July 7, 1924 in Neenah, Wisconsin daughter of the late Gilbert E. Jr. and Loretta J. (Hauser) Neff. Betty graduated from Neenah High School in 1942. She proudly served her country during World War II as a Yeoman 2/C in the SPARS –women's division of the U.S. Coast Guard as a court reporter and secretary to the personnel officer of the 6th Naval District, New Orleans, LA. On October 16, 1948 she married John J. “Jack” Walsh at St. Margaret Mary Church in Neenah. They were blessed to celebrate their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries. Betty was a charter member of the Women's Memorial, Washington D.C. She and her husband were on the Old Glory Honor Flight to D.C. on June 1, 2010. Betty retired from the Neenah School District as a secretary and paraprofessional. In retirement she spent many years traveling, and later wintered in Naples, Florida.

Betty was a charter member of: St. Margaret Mary Parish; Women in Military Service for America, Washington D.C.; Military Museum Fields of Honor, Oshkosh. She was also involved with the Silver Cross Circle, Kings Daughters; D.A.V.; Neenah Historical Society; and Tuesday Club. As a youth, Betty enjoyed sailing, and ice boat racing in boats made by her father. She was a junior member of the Nodaway Yacht Club, where she won the “Most Persistent Skipper” trophy.

She is survived by her adoring husband, Jack; her children: John (Tammy) Walsh, Lakeville, MN; Julie (Dennis) Olmstead, Appleton; grandchildren: Stephen Walsh, Amanda (Jake) Helmandollar, Seth (Carrie) Waters, Katie (Lewis) Green, Deanna (David) Eversen, Jolie (Nathan) Venton-Walters; a great grandson, Wyatt Helmandollar, and three more on the way. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Larry (Juanita) Neff; son-in-law, Bill Waters; nephew, Andy Neff; sister-in-law, Margaret Walsh.

Funeral Mass for Betty will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Margaret Mary Church (439 Washington Ave., Neenah) with Rev. Michael Ingold officiating. Friends will be received directly at the church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of service. Entombment will be in the Shrine of Heaven Mausoleum, Neenah. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established.

Thank you John and Mimi Hauser for all the time you spent with our parents, taking them to doctors' appointments, loving them, laughing, visiting, and praying with them, and for being such a great support to our family. The family would also like to thank the staffs of The Heritage and of Cherry Meadows Hospice for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Betty and her family throughout her residence and her illness with them.