Betty Hartsaw

A resident of Orlando since 1954, Betty Lou Hartsaw passed away peacefully on November 26, 2018, at Westminster Towers. She was born on August 28, 1928, in Lakeland, Florida, the daughter of St. Elmo and Lavinia Langley Maddox. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday, sharing her birth year with Mickey Mouse. Throughout her life, Betty Lou collected Disney memorabilia featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse. She had quite a collection of special Mickey Mouse watches.

The youngest of four children, Betty Lou attended Lakeland public schools, graduating from Lakeland High School in 1945. It was at Lakeland High that she met her future husband, Kenneth "Pete" Hartsaw. After spending time at Florida State College for Women, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority, Betty Lou left to marry Pete. They settled in Lakeland and then moved to Lake Wales. In 1954, they moved to Orlando with their two young children, Ken and Nancy. There, Pete went to work for the CPA firm of W.O. Daley & Company. Betty Lou and Pete spent sixty-three happy years together until his death in 2010.

Throughout the years, Betty Lou was a PTA volunteer and active in the Junior League of Orlando. Betty Lou was a former, longtime member of the Country Club of Orlando and a member of the Rosalind Club. There she enjoyed playing many games of bridge with friends. At Westminster Towers, where she had lived since 2007, Betty Lou was a regular volunteer with their White Elephant shop. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Orlando.

Pete and Betty Lou took numerous special trips throughout the United States with his professional accounting organization. And, they spent many Saturdays each fall with family and friends cheering on the Gators in Gainesville. They also could be found at many Magic games over the years.

Betty Lou was a true Southern lady. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends who enjoyed her company, appreciated her sense of humor and generous nature. The family especially thanks all those who so lovingly cared for Betty Lou this past week at Westminster Towers and Orlando Regional Medical Center. Additionally, special thanks goes to VITAS Hospice Care Services.

Betty Lou was predeceased by her parents, brothers, sister, husband and grandson, Kenneth Wesley Fly. She is survived by her children: Kenneth E. Hartsaw, Jr. (Jean) of Orlando and Nancy Hartsaw Fly (Jim) of Winter Park. She had four grandchildren: Betsy Fly Hill (David) of Paso Robles, CA; Ashley Hartsaw Nutt (Caryn Blanton), of Berwyn, IL; Betsy Schatt (Ted) of Ocala; and Ben Sharpe (Emily) of Winter Park. She was especially proud of her great-grandchildren: Annie, Thomas and Charlotte Hill; Carter, Garrett and Ryn Schatt; and Owen and Anna Sharpe. Graveside services were held for the family at Greenwood Cemetery on November 30, 2018. Donations in Betty Lou's memory may be made to Workforce Advantage Academy, 2210 S. Rio Grande Ave. Orlando, FL 32805. Arrangements were made by Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home.