Betty Anne Love's Obituary
LOVE, ELIZABETH ANNE (BETTY ANNE) Went to be with our Lord, Saturday, April 26, 2008. Betty Anne was born in Decatur, Illinois on January 14, 1923. She was raised in Bloomington, Illinois for most of her early years. She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1949 and became a native Texan. Betty Anne was the devoted wife and best friend to her husband, Sol for more than 62 years. She was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many. She was full of grace and beauty. As she will be missed, her zest for life, her devotion to excellence, and her love for us all will live on in the memories and in the very being of who we have become just knowing her. Betty Anne was the oldest of six children born to Charles and Helen Esch. She had four brothers and one sister. She survived polio as a child and learned from that experience that life is to be lived to the fullest. After graduating high school she entered Illinois Wesleyan University and chose to study Mathematics. In her freshman year, Betty was initiated to the Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity, Xi chapter. Betty remained an active Alpha Gam sister her whole life and was awarded her 60 year membership pin. In 1943, in her junior year, Betty Anne received a fellowship to study Aeronautical Engineering at New York University. This program, which took place during World War II, was sponsored by Chance Vought, and out of 3,000 people interviewed, Betty Anne was one of five undergraduates selected in a total of 42 overall. She left the small town of Bloomington, Illinois, and her school, Illinois Wesleyan, and moved to the big city of New York. After receiving her Associates Degree in Aeronautical Engineering, she went to work at Chance Vought. It was there that she met her soul-mate, Sol. Sol has often said that he lucked into marrying her. Betty Anne was a pioneer as a woman in the field of Aerospace Engineering. She had the opportunity to work on the first jet aircraft that Chance Vought designed, built and flew, the F-6U Pirate. Betty Anne predicted the propulsion performance for that aircraft during the design phase of the program. It flew as she predicted. Betty and Sol were married October 26, 1945, and in 1947 they had their first child, Pam. Betty never looked back. She became a fulltime homemaker and had two more daughters, Debbie and Melissa, and one son, Michael. She devoted her life to raising her children in the Christian faith along side Sol. She was a founding member of Walnut Hill United Methodist Church of Dallas and always considered it her church home. She witnessed the baptism of her children and her husband at Walnut Hill. She also supported her husband in his career. Betty Anne was Sol’s partner in everything they did. Betty Anne loved music, children, and learning. We will always remember her playing the organ and before that, the piano in the evening as we all unwound from the day. She shared this with her grandchildren as well. She loved to learn, and we will always remember her enthusiasm as she wanted to hear about what we were studying in school. She enjoyed watching children and being a part of their lives. She spoke of Jesus’ speaking, ‘Let the little children come unto me, for to such as these belong to the kingdom of God.’ We are so grateful to the Lord for the gift of Betty Anne Love. She is survived by her husband, Sol Love; children, Pam Taylor, Debbie and son-in-law, Dick Bowen, Melissa and son-in-law, Chuck Blackburn, and Michael and daughter-in-law, Susan Love; grandchildren, David Taylor, Robert and Kristy Taylor, Rich Bowen, Kevin and Stacy Bowen, Daniel and Mary Bowen, Matt Starcke and Desiree Rieckenberg, Katie Love and Michael Love; great-grandchildren, Bradley Taylor, Zoe Taylor, Elliot Taylor, Sydney Taylor and Kate Taylor; brothers and sisters, John and Shirley Esch, Bill and Liz Esch, Mary Montgomery, Joan Esch, Art Love, Bill and Irene Love, and Shirley and David Katz; many nephews and nieces; dear friend of 42 plus years, Peggie Woodruff and many more friends. Memorial service will be 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 1, 2008 at Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, 10066 Marsh Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229. Memorials may be made to Walnut Hill United Methodist Church and to Alpha Gamma Delta.
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