Betty Ann Cartwright


Betty Ann Cartwright, aged 93, died peacefully on Monday, May 29, 2023, after suffering a stroke. Betty was born Betty Ann Sophia Hulsmeyer on August 15, 1929, in Sidney, Ohio, to Silas and Eva Amalia (Metz) Hulsmeyer. She grew up in Anna, Ohio, and graduated from Anna High School in 1947. She married Charles Hugh Cartwright of Sidney, Ohio, on May 1, 1949. She and Chuck moved around for several years while he served in the Air Force before finally settling in Eaton Rapids, MI, in 1957. They spent the remainder of their 73-year marriage building their lives and raising their family in the Eaton Rapids community.
Betty was an accomplished seamstress and worked for Laura’s in Eaton Rapids for nearly a decade doing alterations. She also did work for individuals in the community as well as her family, including altering several of her granddaughters’ wedding dresses. Later, Betty sold Avon for more than 30 years, and she loved the connections it gave her to her friends and neighbors. She was an avid gardener, an enthusiastic fan of Spartan football and basketball, a loyal follower of Detroit Tigers baseball, and a devoted viewer of TV’s “Survivor.” Above all, Betty loved her family and friends.
After her husband Chuck died last year, she made the difficult decision to leave her home and move to StoryPoint Independent Senior Living in Rockford, MI. She quickly made many new and dear friends, and she eagerly joined in on a wide variety of activities, like cardio drumming, yoga, and balance class. Most days, you could find her playing game after game of euchre with anyone who would join her.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Lori (Eric) Maxey of Grand Rapids; her son, Bruce (Deb) Cartwright of Littleton, Colorado; her son-in-law, Andrew Curtin of North Yarmouth, Maine; her daughter-in-law, Peggy (Larry “Doc”) Mueller of Mason; her sister, Donna (Jim) Cowperthwaite of Cincinnati, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Cartwright; her daughter, Cynthia Cartwright; her son, Craig Cartwright; and seven siblings.
A memorial service for Betty will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church at 600 S. Main St. in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, with a visitation from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., a celebration of life service beginning at 4 p.m., and a reception to follow. If you would like to honor Betty’s life with a donation, please consider contributing to the First United Methodist Church in Eaton Rapids or the Eaton Rapids Senior Center.