Betty Joan Weston

Betty Joan Birch Weston lived 88 bright, beautiful, laughter-filled years. On March 16, 2026, surrounded by the family who adored her beyond measure, she wrapped up her extraordinary earthly adventure just as she lived it: peacefully, gracefully, and completely loved.

Born on December 16, 1937, in Flint, Michigan, to Miller Quinn Birch and Helen Genevieve James Birch, Betty arrived as the youngest child, which was something she proudly carried with her signature wink and mischief her whole life. She was preceded in birth by her brothers Quinn, Jim, and Charles (Chuck), and raised largely by her beloved stepmother, Evelyn Wolverton.

At Flint Northern High School, she met the great love of her life, William Howell Weston. They married on February 10, 1956, setting off a 63‑year (in marriage) love story marked by devotion, partnership, and the joyful chaos of a family that kept growing and growing. After starting their family in Flint, Betty and Bill moved to Petoskey in 1967 for Bill’s job with Michigan Bell Telephone. They added two more children after the move, settling in as Petoskey residents and becoming stitched into the fabric of the community.

Betty worked in several roles over her lifetime, but her real magic was the way she made every workplace feel warmer and more human. She started as a teen at Hurley Hospital’s dietary department in Flint, then later became secretary to the principal at Petoskey Middle School, then receptionist for optometrist Dr. Riley Turcott, and eventually became the heart and soul of Hooker’s Dry Cleaners for 12 years.  Petoskey locals won’t forget Betty behind the pastry counter at Johan’s Bakery in her final 36 years of work— smiling, chatting, remembering names and preferences like it was her superpower. She officially retired in 2025, proudly logging 57 years in the working world.

But all of that only scratches the surface.

Betty lived a vibrant, full‑color, never‑slow‑down life. She adored nature, animals, and adventure—camping, fishing, walking, feeding the wild birds, road trips, lakeside afternoons, and caring for an ever‑changing roster of companion animals, including horses. If there was something to explore, admire, rescue, or enjoy, she was already halfway there with a sparkle in her cornflower blue eyes.

Active her entire life, she loved sewing, reading, puzzles, movies, waterfront visits, and bargain hunting like it was an Olympic sport. She was warm, social, generous, and able to make total strangers feel like instant friends. Betty didn’t just love people—she gathered them, wove them together, and made community wherever she went.

And nothing in her world topped family.
Absolutely nothing.

Her greatest joy was watching the family she and Bill created blossom across generations. She was famous for proudly announcing, “There are 34 of us now!” whenever she tallied the ever‑expanding Weston clan. She cherished every single branch of the family tree, and her love was the sunshine that helped them grow.

Betty is survived by her loving children: Chris (Daphne) Weston, Randy (Sheryl) Weston, John Naganashe, Shannon (Gary) Weston Wood, and Jayna (Mark) Steffel.
Her grandchildren: Mindy (Mike) Sears, Bryce (Sarah) Weston, Ashley (Ryan) Kiekintveld, Melissa Weston, Matt (Erin) Weston, Elana Naganashe, Emily Naganashe, Kaiah Keshick-Eedy, Autumn Naganashe, Nicholas Steffel, and Nathan Steffel.   Her great‑grandchildren: Hadley, Lauren, and Everett Kiekintveld; Aurora (Nick) Hicks, Alexe (Katie) Sears, Avery Sears, Kyler Cranick and Charlotte Weston.

She is preceded in death by her parents Miller and Helen and her stepmother Evelyn; her brothers Quinn, Jim, and Chuck Birch; her devoted husband Bill Weston and her beloved daughter Glenda (John) Naganashe.

Betty, also known fondly as Betty Boop, Grandma, Nanna, and GG, left behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, nature-loving wonder, and unquenchable joy. To know her was to know color, warmth, and a little bit of sass. She taught us all to love big, stay curious, find beauty everywhere, and dance through life with a youthful heart.

Her sparkle will be missed…
but oh, how brightly it continues to shine.

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