Betty Jane O'Brien

Betty Jane (Massey) O’Brien, 83, of Louisburg, KS passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at Kansas City Hospice House, Kansas City, MO. She was born July 14, 1934 at her parent’s farmstead in southern Miami County, the daughter of Eugene and Ethel (Gowing) Massey. She attended Sunny Ridge, a one room grade one thru eight school close to her home. She graduated from LaCygne High School in 1952. She was united in marriage to Jack William O’Brien on May 2, 1954 at LaCygne, KS. They moved to Louisburg in 1968. Betty loved driving her yellow school bus full of kids. Her bus kids nicknamed her Betty Bubbles. She drove for 33 years, driving long enough to pick-up a second generation of bus kids. Betty kept score for countless sports events. She had the stats ready anytime someone needed them. She loved being mother, grandma and great grandma – grandkids were the best and she was happy to get to go to their games and meets. She was a great cook, feeding many of her children’s friends before a game. She was an avid sports fan to the end, KU men’s Basketball, Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs. She loved to sew and handmade many cheerleading uniforms, prom and wedding dresses. Gardening and growing flowers were also important to her. She would then can the produce, seasoned tomato juice and apple butter became the favorite end products. She and Jack enjoyed going to their farm in southern Miami County. After her beloved Jack passed away she became a cattlewoman and took care of his cows for many years. She also took care of his mom as if she was her own. She was an avid reader and served on the Louisburg Library Board and bragged of being an early supporter, her library card was #26. She helped cook for the M&M & VBS programs at the Methodist Church, while serving on many committees throughout the years. She also worked at the Rusty Hanger. Anything she could do to be around children always made her happy. Betty was always positive and never judgmental or angry. She taught by example with much patience. She beat three different kinds of cancer, heart issues and dementia, but being the most independent through all of this. She insisted on mowing her own grass into her 80’s. She also tended to hungry squirrels and birds much to her neighbor’s chagrin. Betty had wonderful and amazing neighbors. Don and Carolyn Meek and David and Margaret Cottrell – Thank You Very Much! She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack and her parents. Survivors include two daughters, Terry (Denton) Meek, and Sharon (Stan) Brady; one son, Barry (Barbara) O’Brien; grandchildren, Josh (Jennifer) Meek, Jeremy (Shania) Brady, Troy (Melissa) Meek, Jeff (Jaymee)Brady, Tyler (Melissa) O’Brien, Jason Brady, Cassie (Taylor) Flinn and Colleen O’Brien; great-grandchildren, Miles and Maylee Jane Meek, Jackson Meek, Josephine Brady, Stella and Finlee Brady, Addison and Jack O’Brien; one sister, Jeanne Nelson and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests contributions to the Louisburg United Methodist Church, Louisburg Library or Kansas City Hospice House, To share your memories of Betty or leave a condolence message for her family, please click the Share A Memory button.