Betty M. Hunt, 96, of the Twin Cities, was born January 11, 1922 in Grand Rapids and passed away peacefully on April 18, 2018. Betty married Robert M. 'Bob' Hunt at the Methodist Peace Temple in Benton Harbor in 1943. Bob passed away in 1998.

Betty graduated from BHHS, attended the American Conservatory of Music Chicago, and graduated with honors from the University of Michigan School of Music in 1948. For 40 years, Betty gave private voice lessons in her home.  She also taught music in several area schools and directed musical productions at Lake Michigan College, as well as the LMC folk group The Chosen Few.  She was the soloist at First Church of Christ Scientist in Fair Plain, as well as the Methodist Peace Temple. She was a member of the local Monday Musical Club since 1948, and served as club president from 1985 to 1987.  She also served on the scholarship committee and sang in the chorus.

When she no longer played the piano for her students, she began to knit to keep her fingers active.  This hobby resulted in over 300 beautiful afghans, which she shared with her musical cohorts, family and best-loved friends.

Betty was a vibrant, beautiful, fun and talented woman – full of style, personality and grace.  She had a positive impact on so many area musicians. Please honor her memory when you sit on her commemorative bench at the Municipal Band Shell in St. Joe.

Survivors include her son Ed (Paula) Hunt of St. Joe and daughter Linda Hunt (Casey) Just of Benton Harbor. She has four grandchildren: Kelly (Daniel) Mathenia, Jessica Just, Abby Ippel, and Andy (Sara) Buursma.  She also has seven great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her brother Gary Leiby, Medford, OR, formerly of Benton Harbor.

Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Online guestbook available by selecting the link on the top of the page.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Monday Musical Club scholarship fund.