F Elizabeth 'Betty' Garrett

F. Elizabeth "Betty" Garrett, 83, of Lake Villa, IL passed away Saturday, January 13th, 2024 at Alto Senior Living in Grayslake, IL. Betty was born August 4th, 1940 in Chicago, IL, and moved to Lake Villa at the age of 8 with her parents Charles and Dorothy Garret, and siblings Charlene Huhnstock (nee Garrett) and James Garrett. Growing up with stories of badminton, swimming across the lake, softball, and biking in Venetian Village, she made many friends and memories that lasted throughout her life. Betty attended Lake Villa Grade Schools and Grayslake High School where she found her love for the oboe, music, and band. She continued her love for music and learning at Millikin University by earning her Bachelor's Degree and continuing on to Northwestern University where she received her Master's Degree in Music Education. After college, she started her career as a Middle School Band Director. She spent the majority of her career teaching band in the Lake Villa School District directing scores of students. While teaching in the band room was among her greatest accomplishments, she positively impacted the lives of her students for decades to come by also facilitating private music lessons, performances at Wrigley Field, bike trips, raking leaves, hosting bonfires, marching in parades, and trips to Six Flags. After retirement from Band Directing, she went on to continue her own education earning a Master's degree in Divinity at Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York, followed by a Master's degree in Theological Studies at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. With these new degrees, she continued to excel as an organist playing for several churches in the area. Outside her professional endeavors, Betty enjoyed numerous pastimes including playing in the Northshore Band, Palatine Band, Glenview Band, foreign and domestic travel, being a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts organization, gardening, reading/movie/television/photography, rescuing beagles, walking Lake County Forest Preserves, rooting the Chicago Cubs on for their World Series win and months of staging and admiring her ever-growing Christmas Village collection. Betty is survived by nephews Jeffrey (Liz) Huhnstock and Jason (Nancy) Garrett, nieces Joey Brower, Cissy (Ed) Hamm, and Emily Garrett (Chris Werner). She is also survived by great nephews and nieces, Jeffrey Huhnstock (Adriana Marjanovic), Jackie (Kenny) Swank, John (Debbie) Brower, Paul Brower, Kasey (Jamie) Killilea, Taylor (Drake) Isaacs, Ruby Garrett, Arloa Werner, Eloise Garrett, Otto Werner, Grace Garrett and CoraRose Werner. Also surviving are great-great nephews and nieces. Memorial visitation will be 3 - 7 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024 at Ringa Funeral Home in Lake Villa, IL. A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. the following day, Saturday, January 27, 2024 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 31 Park Avenue; Grayslake, Illinois 60030. Interment of the cremated remains in the church columbarium will take place immediately following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Alzheimer's Research, Waggin' Tails Rescue Inc., or the Lake County Forest Preserves. https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate https://waggintailsrescueil.org/ https://www.lcfpd.org/preservation-foundation/donate-now/

F Elizabeth 'Betty' Garrett

August 4, 1940 - January 13, 2024

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