Elizabeth Betty Burnham

In loving memory of Elizabeth (Betty) Burnham who died peacefully in the early evening of February 13, 2018, surrounded by family and friends, at the too early age of 63. Betty was born in Jennings, Louisiana the daughter of Elizabeth (Howard) and John Burnham on August 2, 1954. The family moved to Bloomington, Indiana when Betty was six where she continued her education and the making of life-long friends. Betty’s education began at the old University School in Bloomington, studying the normal subjects and then continued at home where every sibling had to learn to play three instruments. Then after a certain age, they were allowed to specialize playing one instrument. Betty chose the Harp, an instrument bigger than she was and a beast to lug around to gigs but she loved it. Betty breezed through U School with the help of some very intelligent genes she inherited from her mother and father. For example, Betty’s mother, Elizabeth, graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1935 and Betty’s grandmother, Kathleen Laws Corley, graduated from the same University of Texas in Austin in 1911 as Phi Betta Kappa. We should all be so lucky! Betty’s journey through U School was so, hmmm, precocious, that she didn’t bother with graduating high school and just jumped right into college. Betty graduated with honors with a BSN in Nursing but still had to get her GED due to state law requiring a high school diploma to be a nurse. While getting her education at IU, she found the time to become one of the founding members of the Indiana University Women’s Soccer team. Some quotes from her former teammates, “Betty, I don’t know if you will remember your old goalkeeper friend but I certainly remember you, the very little Energizer Bunny with an amazing leg who was as tough as nails!”, also “Betty is not a big person, but her kick was monumental. She’s the kind of person who has defined “I’ve got your back” on and off the field.”, and finally, “Betty and her perfect “I Mean Business” braids and headband. You never wanted to make a mistake in the back to disappoint Betty but you always knew Betty was there if you did. And off the field she was a softie.” Betty had a long successful career at Bloomington Hospital where she began as a pediatric nurse and ended working there as the Manager of Infection Control and Employee Health. Anyone remember Betty Bugs? Before leaving Bloomington, Betty received her MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and then left for Arizona with her husband Michael where she continued to work in Infection Control and Employee Health. While living in Arizona Betty and her husband kept busy outside of work by playing in the City of Scottsdale Volleyball League. Her first year she played on the same team as her husband and placed second in the league. The next year she was recruited away from her husband’s team and they took first place. They gave her the trophy and her husband never heard the end of that story! Betty loved to travel and to explore other cultures. Her soccer playing took her to England, Scotland, and Iceland and then she was able to spend a year in Italy studying Italian and Music at the Conservatory in Bologna. Betty’s pets, Watson the Wonder Dog and Pumpkin the Cat, had a special place in her heart as did other ‘critters’ that crossed her path. Watson the Wonder Dog especially enjoyed watching the soccer games Betty played with the IU Women’s Soccer team, providing the half time entertainment for the fans by chest-trapping the ball and scoring goals. I think there was a little pork in Watson he was such a ham! Betty had the energy of a 100 people wrapped up in her little body. She did more in her short years on earth than most of us will ever accomplish in several lifetimes. She was a gifted musician, honors graduate, multi-talented athlete (did I mention she even won medals in slalom skiing?) and was the most loving, caring, kindest person I have ever known. Betty is survived by her husband, Michael Hostetler, brother Thomas of Bloomington, IN, brother James (Gay Marie) of Oak Ridge, TN, brother Edward (Ananda) Villa Park, Ill, brother William (Marcia) of Ann Arbor, MI, and sister Helen (George) of Kings Mountain, NC. Her parents, John A. Burnham and Elizabeth (Howard) Burnham predeceased her. A Funeral Service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington. Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions can be made in her honor at a charity of your choice. You are invited to share a memory or leave an online condolence to the family at www.allencares.com

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Elizabeth Betty Burnham

August 2, 1954 - February 13, 2018