Nancy Elizabeth (Betty) Killen Green
Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and Aunt Betty Green, 79, of Bradenton Florida passed away on September 7, 2022 at Blake Hospital in Bradenton, Florida. Born May 22, 1943 at Tampa General Hospital to R. H. and Alice Merle (Collins) Killen, she was in Lakeland High School Class of 1961, earning a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University and later in life earned a Master’s Degree in Varying Exceptionalities in Education from USF as well as becoming a Nationally Certified Teacher. Her last posting before retirement was at Bashaw Elementary in Bradenton.
Her family was her greatest joy, and she is survived by her son Bill (Kathy) Shafer, 5 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, niece Tracey Brunner and nephew Patrick Goeser. In retirement she spent countless hours with her great grandchildren and great-nieces, and she is sorely missed.
Betty was predeceased by her parents R. H. and Alice, sister Linda, brother Ray, niece Heather Reitzel, and husbands Walter Shafer, Don Stahler, Terry Green and life partner of 35 years Earl Lindsay.
Betty was the greatest light in our family. She tirelessly tried to improve the lives of those around her, to spread joy, to sooth and heal, to educate and prepare, and to give the best example of what unconditional love looks like in the real world. She always saw the goodness and potential in those around her, always trying to help and encourage. She was the keeper of the family holidays, leaving so many beautiful memories of family times together.
As per her wishes, we will host a Celebration of her Life. She requested sunlight and happiness, outdoors with children playing and memories being shared. Her celebration will be on what would have been her 81st birthday weekend, Sunday, May 19, 2023, 3pm at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria, with refreshments and appetizers provided. A Facebook Event page will be posted shortly.
Deborah Webster Halakan
Deborah Webster Halakan, 72, of New York and formerly of Anna Maria Island, died April 28.
She was born Feb. 17, 1952, in Schenectady, New York, to Dewey and Constance Webster.
She was a 1970 graduate of Mohonasen High School, earned a master’s of fine arts from Albany State University and went on to become a highly regarded teacher in the Schenectady City School District until her retirement in 2008.
A Fulbright scholarship award to Australia and a three-year sabbatical in Hawaii provided adventures she loved.
In retirement, she and husband Lex opened a successful art studio and gallery overlooking Tampa Bay on Anna Maria Island. She loved the life she led living on the island for more than 10 years.
Her Anna Maria friends were dear to her as she would often reminisce about the adventures and the peaceful beach times they shared.
If you knew her, you knew that her greatest accomplishment was her ability to make everyone she encountered feel special. She had a one in a million way of making everyone feel welcome and loved. Her smile was one that was genuinely loving and infectious. And even though Parkinson’s disease robbed her of so much, it was never able to conquer that beautiful smile.
Arrangements were by DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, Rotterdam, New York. Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.
Ms. Webster is survived by her loving husband, Lex Halakan; son Dan Northrup and wife Dawn Lukes; daughter Kyndra Northrup and Kyndra’s sister, Aleeza Oppelt Van Avery and her husband John Van Avery; stepdaughter Liz and husband Sam Mahan; brother Ed and wife Judy; sister Cheryl and husband Cliff Baum; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She also is survived by a special “Arizona family,” from which her amazingly special Arty proclaimed her, “Great Grandma Princess.”