Bette Chavoya

Chavoya, Bette B. Kalamazoo, Michigan Bette Chavoya, age 94 passed away February 28, 2021 at home surrounded by her loving children and under the wonderful care of Hospice of Southwest Michigan. Bette was born in Grand Rapids, MI., the daughter of the late Richard G. Heeringa and Irene L. Larsen (Warner). Bette's life can be characterized by her passion for family, teaching, music, painting, reading and bridge. Her priority in life and her greatest achievement was her four children. She always said, "my kids were the making of me". As a young girl Bette excelled in academics, music and art. She passed the entrance exams and qualified to attend Kalamazoo State High. There she enjoyed a curriculum of general studies, languages, arts and college preparatory classes integrated with Western Michigan University. With a talent for singing and years of vocal training Bette played the leading role of Carmelita in the high school operetta, "Riding Down the Sky", then later sang solo with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. She went on to attend the Sherwood Conservatory of Music in Chicago for two years, where she met a fellow student musician, who would become her husband and father of their four children. After twenty-three years of marriage and raising a family, Bette returned with her four children to Kalamazoo, and embarked on a new journey in teaching. She completed a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts from WMU and went on to teach at Paw Paw Middle School as a Reading Specialist for twenty-one years. She loved her students and devoted herself to lead them to the love of books. An avid reader, and lover of places the printed word can take one, Bette rarely had less than two to three books going at any one time. Once retired, Bette focused on a new interest, the game of Bridge! And she was hooked. She played until the age of 92; only 10 points away from earning her Life Masters. Bette felt she owed so much to the Kalamazoo Bridge Center, to the players and directors and to the game itself for keeping her sharp, engaged and always learning. She made so many wonderful friendships and expressed such gratitude for the support, that in her later years, still made her feel welcomed and encouraged to keep playing. She even traveled to Israel, Turkey and Greece with one of her female bridge partners. Bette was blessed with the most amazing grandchildren with whom she spent quality time on Lake Huron, in Colorado and here in Kalamazoo. They adored Grandma Bette. She went down the big slide, rode go-carts and went to the mountains with them. She read to them, played Mancala, and miniature golf and took them to Saugatuck for ice cream. She taught them things, was a great inspiration to them and had a deep influence on their values. And as they grew older, she attended graduations, weddings and welcomed beautiful great grandbabies. Bette was a remarkable woman, intelligent, talented, beautiful and kind. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher and friend. She is beloved and will be missed dearly. The family will treasure the many lovely oil and watercolors that she painted and gifted them. She is survived by her children: Dr. Gary Michael Chavoya of Hawaii, Cynthia (Mark) Gettel of Kalamazoo, retired Police Officer Laurie (Franklin) Michelson of Colorado, and Susan (Lawrence) Nisker of Kalamazoo and by her grandchildren: Gary Lee Chavoya, Laura Chavoya, Kristin Chavoya, Marshall Gettel, Kelson (Brooke) Gettel, Jason (Christine Pasun) Chavoya, Ashley (Garrett) Glenn and by her great grandchildren: Samantha Chavoya, Greyson Chavoya, Weston Gettel, Kira Chavoya and Tiberius Chavoya. A private family service will be held to honor and celebrate her life. To view Bette's personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com