Betty Sturtz

Betty Sturtz, 78, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away en route from Florida to her summer home in New Philadelphia.

Born in Evergreen, Alabama, she was one of nine children. Betty moved to St. Petersburg at a young age and was a Florida girl, spending many hours on the beach as she grew up.

Betty had a zest for life that was unmatched. She never met an animal or food she didn’t like. At one point, she cared for two dogs, a cat, Freddy the Frog, and Tommy the Turtle, all of which made the annual summer trip to Ohio.

Betty was a business woman in a man’s world. Betty shattered many glass ceilings in her journey to an extremely successful career which allowed her to have world travels including a one-year assignment in Santo Domingo.

Her husband, Bill, and her spent 41 years together with many adventures along the way including more than 20 years of summer trips on their Big Boat to Bahamas and Keys with their close friends. When she retired, she became active in her church, the thrift store and food pantry.

Betty was a caregiver for more than 7 years looking after her close and dear sister, Ouida, and her mother-in-law, Sarah. Betty was often referred to as “Saint Betty”.

She will be buried alongside her sister, Ouida. Betty will be dearly missed.