By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
4 Comments
  • Visitation

    Wednesday, November 6, 2024

    4:00 to 8:00 pm

    and Thursday, November 7, 2024

    10:00 to 11:00 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL

  • Service

    Thursday, November 7, 2024

    11:00 am

    Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL

  • Full Obituary

    Margaret LeAnne (Fischer) Betts, aged 76, passed away on November 2, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a long battle with cancer.

    She was born on November 12, 1947, in St. Louis, MO, the second child of Robert G. and Audrey A. (Fiebiger) Fischer.  Margaret grew up in Harvester, MO and graduated from St. Dominic High School, O’Fallon, MO in 1966.

    Margaret met the love of her life and future husband Daniel E. Betts, Sr., on August 20, 1965, and they were inseparable from that date. They were married on June 3,1967 at St. Joseph’s Church in Cottleville, MO. They were blessed with five children in their 57 years of marriage and two grandchildren: Daughters Victoria Anne Betts, Donna Ellen (Brian) Carroll, twins Suzanne Michelle Betts and Jeanette Elaine Betts, and son Daniel Earl Betts, Jr. Granddaughters are Jennifer Leann Carroll and Emily Lauren (Brandon) Olver-Stafford.

    Margaret was a homemaker, gardener, and horticulturist most of her life. Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, her dogs, and her beloved husband. Margaret worked for Hallmark Cards for 12 years after her children had grown up, retiring in 2014.  She loved gardening, canning her crops, planting flowers and being outdoors with her family.  Margaret especially loved sharing a Guiness with her Guiness buddy, Brian, and collecting anything related to owls, her favorite outdoor animal. She always put everyone else’s needs before her own her entire life, and she loved seeing the happy smiles on her family’s faces every Christmas, which was her favorite holiday.

    When cancer struck in 2016, she fought hard, enduring the cancer and the chemotherapy treatments head-on in order to stay present for her family and granddaughters as long as possible. When her Oncologist told her on October 16, 2024, that he could do no more by way of treatment, she took it like the strong-willed person she had always been and went on Hospice for her remaining days.

    Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Robert G. and Audrey A. Fischer; and her daughter Suzanne Michelle Betts, on March 29, 2004.

    She is survived by her remaining family whose lives have been painfully altered forever.  We know she is resting peacefully, without pain and in the company of her dear daughter Suzanne.

    Memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Rescue of Fayette County, Vandalia, IL, or the Lemuel Rhodes Cancer Foundation of Bond County, IL

    Visitation: Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, and Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL

    Funeral Service: Thursday, November 7, 2024, 11:00 am, at Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL

    Interment: Robinson Cemetery, Pocahontas, IL

    Meridith Funeral Home, Pocahontas, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

4 Condolences
 
  1. Joelyn and Merrell Collins / November 4, 2024 at 8:54 pm

    Vickie and family, you have our deepest sympathy and your family is in our prayers. Your mom was the nicest lady and you could tell she was so proud of each of her children and all her family.

  2. Randee Laskewitz / November 5, 2024 at 11:03 am

    I never had the opportunity to meet your mom, but she sounds like a wonderful person. She is someone I would’ve liked to learn about gardening with and tipped a pint of Guinness with as well.

    Dan and I express our deepest condolences and we will send a Memorial contribution to the animal rescue group, in your Mother’s memory.

  3. Linda Williams / November 8, 2024 at 4:56 pm

    What a beautiful tribute. I met Margaret through Hallmark, and we immediately became friends. As this tribute stated she always did put everyone else first and was truly one the kindest I have ever met. Margaret was a blessing to me when I lost my dad, as she was always there to listen and console. She and I share the same birthday, and she was the first one each year to beat me to wishing each other a Happy Birthday. When she left Hallmark we didn’t stay in touch as frequently but when we did, she shared beautiful stories of her loving family and life after Hallmark. For all those that knew Margaret their lives were definitely made better with her in it.

    Sending my sincere condolences to all the family. May you find comfort in all your beautiful memories.

  4. Debbie Cortopassi / November 18, 2024 at 1:01 pm

    To the entire Betts family, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. My twin sister and my mom worked for
    Margaret at Hallmark and we adored her the moment we met her. We had many Hallmark excursions
    in MO and IL, and traveling together to the stores included many laughs and many heartfelt discussions.
    I was profoundly moved by the way she spoke of her family, especially her husband Dan. She lived to
    be happy with them, and to take care of things and people that needed her love and attention. We reconnected on email last year and that is when she told me she was battling cancer. But being who she
    was, she just kept living her life peacefully and as best she could while sick. She was a
    light for so many people, and I am so happy that I was able to be in that light.

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