Betty Lou Middlemas' Obituary
Betty Lou Peterson Middlemas died peacefully on February 22, 2013 at the Royal View Retirement Community in Mecosta, Michigan. Born in West Virginia, she graduated in 1943 from the Thomas M. Cooley High School in Detroit. She was married to Laurence M. Middlemas, a sports reporter for The Detroit News, who preceded her in death. They resided part time at Canadian Lakes, Michigan since 1978 and moved there permanently in 1988. Peterson's writing career began in high school when she wrote for the school newspaper. She was hired as a secretary with the Detroit Free Press in January 1944. She then moved on to write a TV column in the early 1950s when television was still a new media. Her columns were carried by the Knight Ridder/Tribune News service all across the country. She met, interviewed and wrote about celebrities such as Bob Hope, Ed Sullivan, Danny Thomas and Lucille Ball. Unimpressed by their celebrity status, she wrote articles that were honest, interesting and intelligent. "They are just people," she said. Peterson retired in 1987 after 43 years with the newspaper. This gave her more time to spend with her hobbies of gardening, painting and photography. Though they were avid travelers, she and Larry loved spending their winters in their home in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was active in the Canadian Lakes Players, Art Club, Book Club and Garden Club. She is survived by nieces and nephews in New York, Colorado, California, Illinois and Ohio Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Big Rapids, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Manna Pantry at St. Andrews Church or the Scottville Clown Band, Inc., 405 N. Main St., Scottville, MI 49454.
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