Betty J. Byce

Betty J. Byce, 87, of Lincoln, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2014 at her home.Born January 4 1927, to Peter and Edna (Cuyler) Medor in Lincoln, she was raised there. She graduated from Oscoda High School in 1944. On April 7, 1945, she married Sylvester H. (Bill) Byce at St. Anne Catholic Church in Harrisville. They lived in Boston until Bill was stationed overseas with the U.S. Coast Guard, during which time Betty worked in Bay City, MI as a surgical stenographer at Mercy Hospital. Bill and Betty moved to Lincoln in 1946. Betty served as Village Clerk of Lincoln, a Cub Scout Den Leader, and as a member of the Alcona PTA. She worked as a tutor for Alcona High School students, as well as prisoners at the Alcona County Jail. Betty coordinated a CETA work program for the Intermediate School District for three years.Betty earned an Associate’s Degree from Alpena Community College, and became paraprofessional instructor at Pied Piper Opportunity Center in Alpena, where she taught for 20 years, a job she loved dearly. She had a special love for young people and many of them lived with her and her family for months, and some for years. She mentored them and loved them as her own.Betty was a lifetime member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Harrisville, where she was former president of the Altar Society, a member of the Legion of Mary, and a former member of the parish council. She also taught Catechism.She enjoyed dancing, singing, playing cards, golfing, playing softball, exercising with Jack LaLanne, gardening, canning, reading, cross country skiing, and walking with friends. Her tremendous capacity to love created many memorable moments for family, friends, and acquaintances. She developed close and meaningful relationships with every one of her children and grandchildren. How very much we will miss this dynamic, gifted, and incredible woman in our lives. She leaves a legacy of love, wisdom, kindness, and the courage to carry on and keep her torch burning brightly. Betty is survived by her five children, Sharlene Campbell of Chelsea MI; William (Toad) Byce, Edna Byce, and Mark (Patti) Byce all of Lincoln; and Mary Byce of Ann Arbor, MI, 14 grandchildren, Loren (Brin) Campbell III; Christopher Campbell; Deanne Stoinski; Lisa (Scott) Martin; Amy (Chad) Faszczewski; Adam (Shelley) Byce; Aimee (Jason) Main; Matthew (Allison) Byce; and Jacob, Kate, Kelly, Paul, and William McGuckin, 11 great grandchildren, Sage and Thea Campbell; Kelsey and Trevor Campbell; Derek and Kent Stoinski; Zackery and Dylan Faszczewski; Kendyll and Ava Byce; and Hailee Main, her sister Helen Fisher of Hubbard Lake, her brother, Joe Medor of Fenton, MI, her sister-in-law Elaine Medor of Lincoln, and many many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill on February 11, 2003, her grandson, John Michael McGuckin III, brothers, Laverne; Gerald; and Hazen Medor, sisters, Shirley Liberty; Bernice Medor; Dorothy Alexander; and June Muckle, and her son-in-law, Loren Campbell II. Mrs. Byce is at Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln, where friends may call on Sunday, March 16 from 2 until 8 pm with a Parish Prayer Service at 7pm. Visitation continues on Monday, March 17 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Harrisville from 10 am until the funeral mass at 11 am. Rev. Lawrence Boks and Robert Bissot will officiate. Burial will be in Twin Lakes Cemetery in the spring. Memorial donations suggested to Hospice of Michigan. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Betty J. Byce, please visit our flower store.