Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Adrian, affectionately known to family as “Mimi”, died on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at the age of 90. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 A. M. Saturday, November 5, 2005 at St. Anne Catholic Church under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFadidn, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be from 6:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M. Friday, November 4, 2005 with a rosary to be recited following the gathering at the Mortuary.
Betty was born in St. Louis, Missouri on August 14, 1915. Her parents were Fannie Grace Clark and John Joseph Fahey. Growing up in Davenport, Iowa, she received an outstanding education at Immaculate Conception Academy. After graduation, she attended nursing school at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas. But love beckoned, and Betty withdrew after two years to marry Erwin F. “Andy” Adrian. That union of best friends lasted sixty-three years, until Andy’s death in 1999.
Betty and Andy loved and shared many things- a cigarette after a meal, great ballroom dancing, reading and discussing the daily newspapers over coffee, watching Atlanta Braves baseball, and enjoying their children and grandchildren. They also shared a deep and abiding faith and a fervent desire to serve God and fellow man.
Betty’s volunteer activities were many, beginning as a young bride. An early parishioner at St. Anne Church in Beaumont, Betty was involved in the Altar Society, St. Anne’s Ladies, Catholic Daughters of America, National League of Decency, and the National Council of Catholic Women. For a number of years, she served the American Red Cross as secretary of the Executive Board, as well as a Junior Red Cross sponsor. She was a charter member of the Agredas. In very recent years, Betty served on the board of Some Other Place, as well as serving meals there each month. The St. Elizabeth Hospital Volunteer Department counted her among its members. Betty was proud to be a twenty-five year member of the Col. George Moffet Chapter of the DAR. She was a regular at the 49’ers Club meetings and the monthly St. Anne’s Ladies Meetings. In every organization to which she belonged, Betty served as an officer and usually as president at some point. In 2004, Betty was named the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year for St. Anne Parish. Betty was also proud of her twenty year career in the life insurance industry, in Beaumont and in Atlanta, Georgia.
Betty was blessed to have many dear friends. Her Monday Bridge group consisted of friends of over fifty years, whose love and support especially sustained her in recent months. And, there ought to be at least two good tables for duplicate bridge now in Heaven-with Betty’s arrival!
Betty and Andy had two children, Dick and Mary Beth. Dick died in 1995 after a long illness.
Mimi is survived by her daughter, Mary Beth Cloninger and her husband Gerald; grandchildren, Elizabeth Cloninger of Galveston, David Adrian of Beaumont, Diane Ehlers of Humble and Kathy Smart of Kountze; great grandchildren, Austin and Ethan Busbee, Allan and Trish Burch and Jimmy Smart; brothers-in-law, Wayne Adrian of Wilmington, North Carolina, Ward Adrian of Alamo, Texas and Julius Chebuhar of Bettendorf, Iowa; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to a cause dear to Betty’s heart; Catholic Clerical Student Fund, for the education of priests, in care of St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77701
