Betty Jean (Mason) Christ

Betty J. (Mason) Christ, 82, of Battle Creek, died peacefully, with her family at her side, at Bronson Battle Creek on Saturday, January 20, 2018.

She was born September 26, 1935 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Nels J. "Tobey" & Mary E. (Resser) Mason. Betty was a 1953 graduate of Lakeview High School and earned her Associate Degree from Western Michigan University in 1955. Early in life she was employed at L. W. Robinson Department Store in downtown Battle Creek and then for Civil Defense Department prior to her marriage.

Betty Jean Mason married Chris Tocky Christ on September 29, 1956 at the First Congregational Church in Battle Creek. Surviving are Chris, her husband of 61 years; children, John M. (Jill) Christ of Battle Creek; Kristin L. Christ of Troy; Scott M. (Ken Kish) Christ of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, J. Matthew Christ, Teri E. (Adam) Noaeill, David (Ashley) Christ; great-grandchildren, Annabelle Noaeill, Skyler Noaeill, Frankie Christ; a sister, Barbara Gray of Battle Creek and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Sadly Betty was preceded in death by her daughter, Teri Elizabeth Christ on May 23, 1983; a granddaughter, Heather Krueger Moana on June 3, 2015 and her parents.

Betty was a 67 year member of First Congregational Church, where she was a Junior High Youth Administrator, a member of the Winslow-Vore Church Circle and a Board Member of the B.C. Town Hall Lecture Series. Betty participated in PTA Committees and Boards at all levels in the Lakeview School District, she co-chaired with Chris the Lakeview Community Drug Education Program, served on the Incorporating Committee, Lakeview Schools Educational Foundation, member and former president of the Board of Trustees and was named "Outstanding Alumnus of Lakeview High School" in 1988. Betty served on the Family Y Center Board as its Board Secretary and was named "Outstanding Sustainer of the Year" in 1997. She served on and was a former president of the Safe Place Board, co-chaired the 1994 Gala Community Fundraiser Event and named Anne Schwarz Memorial Award "Volunteer of the Year" in 1991. Betty was a member of the United Arts Council Board and co-chaired the Calhoun County Fund Drive in 1992. She was named to the "Volunteer Hall of Fame" for her work with Volunteer Services, formerly Visitors Board. Betty was active with the Community Crisis Line Advisory Committee (Hope Line) predecessor to 211. Betty was one of the organizers and chairpersons on the Advisory Board for the Community Sexual Assault Task Force and its SAS, SANE, CAC. She received the George Award in 1991 for her work with the HOPE Line and Sexual Assault Services Work and was named "Outstanding Advocate" in 2000. Betty was a member and Secretary of Visiting Nurse Services and an original member of the Lifespan Board. She served with Chris on the Organizational Steering Committee for NorthPointe Woods, was a board member, vice chair and chairperson of the Development Advisory Committee and Council. Betty has received the Battle Creek Exchange Club "Book of Golden Deeds Award" and the Boy Scouts of America "Outstanding Citizens Award". She has been a strong supporter of local Children's Youth Theater. In recent years she was also a dedicated board member and volunteer of the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center, Community HealthCare Connections and Garden of Dreams Preschool and Child Care. One of her greatest community honors was in 2016, with the creation of the Betty J. Christ Endowment Fund for Sexual Assault Services.

She will be remembered by her family as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great -grandmother and aunt. She leaves the community with years of leadership and volunteer accomplishments. For all her dearest and numerous friends; she leaves us with indelible memories of her unique, humorous, elegant and loving personality.

Friends will be received 1:00-3:00 p.m. & 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Services to celebrate Betty's life will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the First Congregational Church, 145 Capital Avenue N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017. Inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Betty J. Christ Endowment Fund for Sexual Assault Services through the Battle Creek Community Foundation, 32 W. Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.