This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: FOUCH, FRANSZINE, SPAULDING KOHLER Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22872/mb.ashx Message Board Post: FOUCH, Betty 9/17/21-5/24/08 Of Kalamazoo Betty Louise was smart, witty, a book lover, a writer, an avid follower of Chicago news and viewer of travel programs, devoted to friends old and new, a preserver of family genealogy and contacts, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother. She was the only child of Ralph and Amy (Franszine) Spaulding and grew up in the Chicago-Hammond area. She was close to her Swedish maternal grandparents and to her mother's sister and husband, especially after her mother died when she was 12. She did office work in the Chicago area after graduation from Hammond High School in 1939, where she had been active in the newspaper and in forensics competitions. With her two sons from her first marriage, Betty moved to Kalamazoo in 1949, working at a variety of office positions. Betty was employed at Western Michigan University for more than 20 years, retiring from Media Services in 1985. Taking classes while working full time and raising a family, Betty earned a bachelor's degree from WMU in ! 1971. The WMU Commission on the Status of Women recognized her as "Woman of the Year" in 1981. Betty had been an enthusiastic writer even before she became feature editor of the Hammond High School newspaper in 1938, and continued to write throughout her life, publishing in several magazines. Writing was a major occupation during her retirement. The weekly meetings of the Portage Senior Center Reminiscence Writing Group supported this commitment. She is preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Terry Kohler (Vietnam, 1972) and Peter Kohler (1998); two infant children; her daughter-in-law, Cindy L. Fouch (2000); her first husband, Peter Kohler and her second husband, John Fouch (1983). She is survived by a son, David Fouch of Otsego; a daughter, Jamie Fouch of Kalamazoo; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Cremation has occurred. Memorial contributions may be directed to Rose Arbor Hospice Program. Friends will assemble at a memorial gathering on Sunday, June 8, 2! 008 from 2 to 5 PM at the Portage home of Robert and Barbara Havira. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 6/5/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.