Betty May Demetris, nee Lannon, age 92, of Lansing, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2020.  Betty is survived by her beloved children Tina (Duke) Chambers, Danvers, Illinois and Robert (Susan) Demetris, grandchildren James & Nicole, Naperville, Illinois; loving brother John (Mary Ann) Lannon, Henderson, Nevada; nieces Amy (Roland) Zubel, Fruitland, Idaho and Barbara (Thomas) Saving, College Station, Texas.

While starting out as a career gal at an insurance agency in Chicago, Betty met the dashing Navy sailor, James Kenneth Demetris after he made his way to the city from West Virginia after World War II. They were married on May 5, 1951 and were best friends and devoted to each other for a remarkable 64 years of marriage, until Jim passed on to heaven in July 2015. Betty had great devotion to family.  Her strength, compassion and resilience remain incredible qualities inherited by her children. She took immense pride in her home and a well-manicured lawn.  Everyone will miss her signature recipes for meatloaf and dill pickle potato salad, and the abundance of Christmas cookies which she loved to share with friends and neighbors. Anyone who knew her, also knew her love of all things purple! Per Betty’s wishes, she has been laid to rest with our heavenly father by cremation.  Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family during these next few weeks.  If you wish to make a donation in her honor, you may contact the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, www.macular.org.