Betty Shovers

Betty Ruth Shovers passed away peacefully on November 24, 2021.  She was 98.   Betty was an incredibly sweet, caring, nurturing soul who had a smile that would light up a room.  She radiated a warmth for others and loved her family fiercely.  Whenever someone asked her how she was doing, she would invariably answer “wonnnddderfulll ‘, a famous catch phrase of Al, her beloved husband of nearly 68 years, who preceded her in death.  But she would then quickly add, “But what about you.  How are you doing?  How is your family?”  Betty was always more concerned about the well-being and happiness of others and never liked to talk about her own aches and pains.  Betty was blessed with 2 dear sons, Steve and Marc (Jan), and her pride and joy, grandsons Sam and Ben.  Betty was born in Racine, the daughter of Sarah and Maurice Silverman.  She had two siblings, Genevieve (Arthur), and Harvey (Eleanor), who she loved dearly, and they adored their baby sister.  In 1944, she married the love of her life, Alvin Shovers.  Al was serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.  He and Betty met during one of his furloughs home to Racine and, after an active correspondence, became engaged and married during his second furlough!  Given how cautious Betty usually was about decisions large and small, her whirlwind romance and marriage was a bit out of character, but the love and devotion Betty and Al showed each other over nearly 7 decades together demonstrated the rightness of their decision.  Betty graduated from William Horlick High School in Racine.  Although she and her best friend Sylvia Jean studied Latin, knowing they would need that to realize their goal of attending medical school, Betty’s marriage and need to enter the workforce to support the war effort (she became “Rosie the Riveter”, working at Webster Electric), derailed her plans for further formal education.  But Betty was a life-long learner.  Her gargantuan vocabulary was legendary in the family, as was her voracious consumption of books, news, and information of all types.  Her tastes and interests varied widely, and she always wanted to know what was going on in the world.  She loved Duke Ellington and LL Cool J.  Gauguin and Charles Schultz’ “Peanuts”.   She wanted to know how Bluetooth worked and why more people didn’t listen to Rachel Maddow.  But most of all, she was constantly asking about Sam and Ben and how they were doing, what they were studying, and when their next visit home would occur so she could shower them with hugs and butterfly kisses.  She was passionate about volunteering and spent many years working for Hadassah -- raising funds for its world-class hospital in Israel that offers treatment to all people in need of its resources -- and served as president of her local Hadassah chapters in both Racine and in Aventura, Florida, where she was twice named Woman of the Year.   Her sons, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends loved to spend time with Betty and talk to her about their lives.  They treasured her patience in actively listening to them, her sage advice when asked, and her nonjudgmental love and support.  Betty is survived by her sons Steve and Marc, daughter-in-law Jan, grandsons Sam and Ben, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, and sweet dog Jazz.  Betty will be greatly missed by her entire family and the many friends she has touched in so many positive ways.  We love you infinity Betty/Mom/Bubbie.  A funeral service will be held at 1pm on Sunday, November 28, 2021 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison, WI  53705.  Burial will follow at Beit Olamim Cemetery at Sunset Memory Gardens.   The family would like to thank the compassionate staff at Tabor Oaks at Oakwood Village, and Agrace Hospice for providing Betty with compassionate, respectful care.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to  Hadassah @ https://www.hadassah.org/ ,  Jewish Social Services of Madison,  Oakwood Village @ https://www.oakwoodfoundationinc.org/page.aspx?pid=298 , or the charity of your choice.

The Funeral Service will be available Live Stream at the link below:

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=a0735af6-4bb7-4e28-90c4-005c96912d46

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406