Betty Slyman

Betty Jane Slyman was born on April 9, 1921 in the "Upper House", located on Ste. Route 1 between Sharpsville, PA and Orangeville, OH, and passed away at The Village at Westerville Nursing Center in Westerville, Ohio at the age of 91 on April 25, 2012.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Grace and Harold Brainard, and her beloved husband of more than 40 years, Theodore Joseph Slyman, who passed away on April 10, 1985.

She is survived by her sisters, Evelyn Stewart and Dorothy Wilson; her brother-in-law Clyde Slyman; her children, Suzanne Slyman Bennett (Duncan), Wayne Richard Slyman (Joanne), Diana Delamer, Silvia Sykes, and Douglas Eugene Slyman; her grandchildren Mark Slyman, Mick Slyman (Lisa), John Slyman (Nicole), Noelani Scotton (Mary), Naomi O'Connell, Briana Cribeyer, Rachael Sykes, Leah Sykes, Lisa Pickett, Cory Slyman, Devon Slyman, Elizabeth Slyman, Hannah Slyman, and Paige Slyman; her great-grandchildren Ashlee Slyman, Zach Slyman, Joe Slyman, Andrea Slyman, Theo Slyman, Jake Slyman, Jenna Slyman, Gabriel Scotton, Cameron Romine, and Elizabeth Allan. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

She attended Kent State University where she studied Home Economics until her marriage, and from that time onwards, devoted herself to being an exemplary wife and mother. Her motto was, "roll with the punches" which was a useful guide with a houseful of active children, and she was known as the founder of "Mothers without Rules" by her visiting nieces and nephews. A deeply and quietly spiritual woman, she was an active member at the Linden Heights United Methodist Church, located in Columbus, Ohio, where she served terms as president of the Linden Heights United Methodist Women's Society and various church oversight committees throughout the years. In addition, she is past president of Savannah Estates condo association, hosted a "Friday Morning" weekly prayer group with her friends from "Walk to Emmaus", and was actively involved in her children's schools, serving as president of the PTA and "Room Mother" for numerous classrooms as her children made their way through school. Until she was no longer physically able, she actively participated in church and community sponsored service projects. Betty had the gift of being able to accept people as they were and being able to light a room with her smile. She took great joy in living, especially treasuring all of the children who came into her life, offering love and support whenever and wherever needed. When the children were small she spent endless hours with them baking cookies, playing games, making play doh, coloring in coloring books, and reading stories, and when they grew older she listened, loved, and accepted. In addition to her involvement with family, in her middle and later years she enjoyed traveling, ceramic art and community service. She was loved and respected by all who knew her, and she will be dearly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 3:00 PM at the Church of the Master United Methodist, 24 North Grove Street, Westerville, OH, 43081.

Donations may be made in her name to Heartland Hospice, 6500 Busch Blvd. Ste. 210, Columbus, OH 43229.