Elizabeth Stephens

Elizabeth (Betty) Mary Stephens, 89, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother and long-time resident of the Kansas City and Paola, Kansas area passed away March 11, 2010 at Delmar Gardens in Overland Park. She was born on October 21, 1920 in Chicago, Ill to Lawrence and Celia Smith Tobin. She attended and graduated from Ohio State University in 1942 where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. On February 14, 1944 she was united in marriage to Frederick Norton Stephens in Columbus, Ohio. To this union, two children were born. Her husband preceded her in death in August of 1994. In 1952, the family relocated to the Kansas City area where Betty was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Group and the Johnson County Young Matrons. Betty and her family moved to the Paola are in 1970 where she was a homemaker and a member of the Lighthouse Presbyterian Church and the Miami County Ladies Aide group. Her love of flowers, especially day lilies, was expressed by her beautiful gardens. She was a member of several local garden clubs through the years. She was preceded in death by her parents;, husband; sister and brother-in-law, Polly and Robert Zimmerman; and daughter-in-law, Christine Windler Stephens. Surviving are her children; daughter, Elizabeth (Libby) Ann Stephens; son, Joseph (Joe) Lawrence Stephens and wife Christie; granddaughter, Ellen Elizabeth Stephens; grandson, Joseph Frederick Stephens; step-granddaughter, Kelsie J. Phillips; and step-grandson, Kyle A. Phillips. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Grace Hospice in care of the funeral home.