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February 12, 2012

Elizabeth Craker Armstrong

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OMENA — Elizabeth C. Armstrong, 92, of Omena, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at Tendercare of Leelanau, where she had resided since October. Betty was born in Omena on Dec. 15, 1919, to George Leonard and Anna Jane (Baxter) Craker.

Always an honor student, she was a Northport High School graduate, attended Alma College and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Wisconsin in 1943, where she was a member of Kappa Iota and was elected to Psi Chi, the National Honorary Society in Psychology.

On June 29, 1943, Betty married Norman E. Armstrong in Santa Barbara, Calif. For nearly 30 years they lived in Madison, Wis., where they raised their family.

Norman was a restaurateur, and Betty did intelligence testing in schools.

She was involved in many charitable organizations and active at Christ Presbyterian Church, where for six years she was president of the Women's Association. In 1965 she received a National Presbyterian Church Certificate of Recognition as an Associate in Christian Education in Madison.

After he husband's death in 1972, Betty returned to live in Leelanau County. She became a published poet, having her poems in anthologies, winning awards throughout the years, including a "Golden Poet" Award in 1990 when she presented her winning poem, "If Not Self-Seekers" at the World of Poetry's International Convention in Las Vegas.

Her great interest was in preserving the local history of Leelanau. Particularly important to her was the preservation of the Omena Presbyterian Church, where she served as Clerk of Session for several years. Her great-grandfather, George A. Craker, had come to Omena in 1852 with Peter Dougherty, missionary to the Ahgosatown Indians, and her great-grandmother, Mary McConnell from Pennsylvania, in 1853 to teach at the new Indian Mission School.

Betty's home on beautiful Grand Traverse Bay was on land which was once part of the Ahgosatown Settlement. She strove to preserve the history, including the descendants' contributions to that community. This history is not yet published, but some of Betty's writings may be found in A History of Leelanau Township, for which she compiled the research.

Elizabeth Armstrong will be remembered as an elegant lady who contributed greatly to society through history, poetry, storytelling, artistic talent, cooking and baking, and by the way she helped those in need while she was able.

Her children and grandchildren will always hold dear the special times they had with her at "Gammy's house in the woods".

Betty is survived by two daughters, Diana Devirian, of Woodland Hills, Calif., and Barbara (Bernard) Jauffret, of Marseille, France; a sister, Kathryn Denny, of Omena; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Devirian, Tara Devirian (Trevor) Lord, Philip Devirian, Jerome Dupasquier, Stephanie (Alexandre) Duret, Penelope (Justin) Bignon and Flavie Jauffret; four great-grandchildren and another soon to be born, Levi James Lord, Margaux and Elliot Duret, and Paula Bignon; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Norman, in 1972; her parents; six brothers, Clark, Clare, Claude, Edward, Robert and Calvin Craker; and a sister, Theta Fouts.

Burial will be at Omena Hillcrest Cemetery. A memorial service at Omena Presbyterian Church will be held in the summer.

Memorials may be directed to Omena Presbyterian Church, PO Box 187, Omena, MI 49674; the Omena Historical Society, PO Box 75, Omena, MI 49674; and/or to the Leelanau Conservancy, PO Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654-1007.

Please share thoughts and memories with Betty's family on their online guestbook at www.record-eagle.com/obituaries/.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

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