1928
Elizabeth
2023
Elizabeth Vickrey
September 16, 1928 — January 14, 2023
Elizabeth (Betty) Kelly Vickrey passed away peacefully at home in South Elgin, Illinois on January 14, 2023 at the age of 94. She was surrounded by her family.
Betty is survived by her three children, Mary (Leif) Rosenquist of Naperville IL, Timothy (Kathryn) Vickrey of Elgin, IL, and James (Gail) Vickrey of Lockport, IL, her five grandchildren, Joseph, Bennett, Margret, Johnathan, and Sara, and her two nieces, Megan Kelly and Caitlin Kelly, both of Washington D.C. She is preceded in death by her three brothers, Fr. Thomas Kelly, Fr. Joseph Kelly, and Jerry Kelly, and her sister Rosemary Kelly.
Betty was born on September 16, 1928 in Memphis, TN to Martin and Margaret (O’Loughlin) Kelly. She graduated high school from Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute in 1947 in Peoria IL, where she grew up. She obtained her certification in America Medical Technologists from Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis MN, in 1955. In 1964, Betty married Wendell Vickrey, with whom she shared a love of nature and similar experiences growing up during the Great Depression. They eventually settled in Niles, IL. While raising her children, Betty built a career as a laboratory and x-ray technician, primarily with United Airlines’ Medical Department, from which she retired almost 40 years ago.
As the oldest of her four siblings, it was unexpected that she would outlive them all, but she stubbornly wasn’t ready until she was ready. She was fiercely independent, and maintained a beautiful home where she was able to spend many years including her last days. As independent as she was, she also loved deeply and unconditionally. Betty adored spending time with her family who all lived close by and doted on her as much as she would allow. She had wonderful neighbors whose support comforted her family, knowing that Betty was never really alone. She spent her time exploring nature, tending to her home and yard with great pride, antiquing, traveling (including many trips to the Ireland), and spending time with family, friends and neighbors.
Betty made it clear that she didn’t want anyone to “make a big deal” over her, she wanted people to think of her and smile, to remember all the wonderful times and get a laugh over those that might have been a little less wonderful. Her family will miss her big heart, her dry sense of humor, and most of all, just knowing she was a phone call away.
A memorial visitation will be held on Friday January 20, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 95 South Gilbert Street, South Elgin Illinois. Info www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com or (847)289-8054
Betty is survived by her three children, Mary (Leif) Rosenquist of Naperville IL, Timothy (Kathryn) Vickrey of Elgin, IL, and James (Gail) Vickrey of Lockport, IL, her five grandchildren, Joseph, Bennett, Margret, Johnathan, and Sara, and her two nieces, Megan Kelly and Caitlin Kelly, both of Washington D.C. She is preceded in death by her three brothers, Fr. Thomas Kelly, Fr. Joseph Kelly, and Jerry Kelly, and her sister Rosemary Kelly.
Betty was born on September 16, 1928 in Memphis, TN to Martin and Margaret (O’Loughlin) Kelly. She graduated high school from Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute in 1947 in Peoria IL, where she grew up. She obtained her certification in America Medical Technologists from Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis MN, in 1955. In 1964, Betty married Wendell Vickrey, with whom she shared a love of nature and similar experiences growing up during the Great Depression. They eventually settled in Niles, IL. While raising her children, Betty built a career as a laboratory and x-ray technician, primarily with United Airlines’ Medical Department, from which she retired almost 40 years ago.
As the oldest of her four siblings, it was unexpected that she would outlive them all, but she stubbornly wasn’t ready until she was ready. She was fiercely independent, and maintained a beautiful home where she was able to spend many years including her last days. As independent as she was, she also loved deeply and unconditionally. Betty adored spending time with her family who all lived close by and doted on her as much as she would allow. She had wonderful neighbors whose support comforted her family, knowing that Betty was never really alone. She spent her time exploring nature, tending to her home and yard with great pride, antiquing, traveling (including many trips to the Ireland), and spending time with family, friends and neighbors.
Betty made it clear that she didn’t want anyone to “make a big deal” over her, she wanted people to think of her and smile, to remember all the wonderful times and get a laugh over those that might have been a little less wonderful. Her family will miss her big heart, her dry sense of humor, and most of all, just knowing she was a phone call away.
A memorial visitation will be held on Friday January 20, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 95 South Gilbert Street, South Elgin Illinois. Info www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com or (847)289-8054
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elizabeth Vickrey, please visit our flower store.
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