Betty Lee (Edwards) Cukrowicz

Betty Lee Cukrowicz left her home here on Earth to join the choir of Angels early Sunday morning, September 12, 2021. Betty Lee Edwards was born into this world October 26, 1920, in Great Falls, Montana. Shortly thereafter her family moved to Montesano, Washington.

Betty spent her youth on a farm where she gained her appreciation for animals, nature, and hard work. In high school she excelled in academics and was involved in business and management clubs. When the time came to choose a career path, she didn’t choose it, so much as it chose her. She became a nurse. Her desire to help people above herself made her a perfect candidate for that role in life. After graduating Montesano High School, she attended St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Olympia, WA where she graduated after three years as a Registered Nurse.

As the clouds of war gathered over the Pacific in 1941, Frank Paul Cukrowicz of South Bend was recalled to service in the Army and was ordered to report to Fort Lewis, near Tacoma, WA. Betty met Frank and they were married in 1942. After the War, Betty relocated to South Bend where she was employed at St Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka for ten years. She left that position to work with the late Dr. Donald T. Olson, General Practice Physician and Cardiologist of South Bend.  In Dr. Olson, Betty found not only a great working colleague but a good friend. They worked together for thirty-nine years.

Betty was most proud of two things in life, her lifelong full-time career as a registered nurse and her kids. She was fond of saying “I have seven great kids. I wouldn’t trade any of them for anything in the world”.

Here are those kids, Barbara Lynn Reilly (Richard) of Wolcott, CT, Pamela Jean Bottorff (Beryl) of Granger, IN, James Paul Cukrowicz of Grand Junction, MI, Thomas Noel Cukrowicz (Carol) of Anderson, IN, Daniel Arthur Cukrowicz of South Bend, IN, Ronald Allen Cukrowicz of South Bend, IN and Lucinda Ann Hudson (Michael) of North Liberty, IN.

Betty is survived by all seven children, eight grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank and  her two brothers, Grant Edwards and David Edwards of Washington.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 63568 IN-931 South, South Bend. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, IN. Friends may visit with the family from 9-10:30 a.m. Thursday at Palmer Funeral Home – River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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