06/02/2022

Obituary for Betty J. Hollingshead

Retired Funeral Director and OFDA Member

Betty Jane (Miller) Forward Hollingshead passed on to her heavenly home on May 30, 2022. Betty was preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Selma Miller, first husband Samuel Chase Forward, second husband Pat Hollingshead, sister Connie (Miller) Toomire, brothers in law Alan Toomire, David Begin, and Chauncey (Donna) Forward and sister in law Peggy (Forward) Yearian.

Shortly after her birth in 1925, Betty's parents purchased Urbana's Tip Top restaurant across from the Douglas Hotel. As a baby, she split her time between living in an apartment above the restaurant and napping in a bread box beneath the service counter. In spite of the devastation of the Great Depression, her parents were able to build their first home at 536 E. Court St. in 1932. There she made lifelong friends, and eventually, she was presented with two baby sisters - Sally in 1934 and Connie in 1938 - who she adored. In 1940, the family moved to her current home on Scioto St., which at the time was known as the Eichelberger Farm and seemed so far away from her friends "in town." Out in the country, Betty became an avid horsewoman, riding through the forest that is now Tanglewood Dr.

In 1943, she was the first of her family to graduate from the "Castle on the Hill." As this was the time of World War II, Betty saw many of her classmates off to the service at the train station located on the overpass at Miami St. After graduation, Betty attended the Columbus School of Business. From there, she was offered her first job at Citizens Bank on the Square. Later in her career, she served as executive secretary for 18 years at Miller Excavating.

Betty married her high school sweetheart in 1945, Sammy Forward. Their first home was an apartment on East Lawn Ave. With no car and only one bicycle, life was full of possibilities. Their beautiful blonde baby girl Sandra Sue joined them in September 1946. Betty loved watching her daughter grow into an "angel here on earth." Betty and Sam had a loving marriage until his untimely death in 1960.

Following a yearlong courtship, Betty later married Pat Hollingshead in 1973. Pat brought with him another little blonde beauty who would become Betty's second daughter, an 11-year-old named Cindi Sue. Betty was once again raising a bright young woman, while working as a secretary and helping Pat at Hollingshead Funeral Home. In 1989, she and Pat moved back into her childhood home on Scioto St., which was no longer a farm so far from town.

A woman of deep faith, Betty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She also served as a member of the Central Ohio Emmaus Community and the Elizabeth M. Hood chapter, currently known as Caroline Chapter of the Eastern Star as a 79-year member. Additionally, Betty was a lifelong servant to her Champaign County community. She was a girl scout from the time her age permitted to join a troop. Eventually, she became the Girl Scout Troop Organization Leader of Champaign County in the 1950s. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she organized the "Soroptomist of Urbana's Diabetic Testing Clinics," which helped detect over 100 new diabetes cases. As a Soroptomist, she served as the chapter's president, eventually earning the designation of Lifetime Member. Betty also was proud to be asked to serve on the Board of Education's "Traditions Committee."

Betty is survived by daughters Sandi Lewis, Cindi (Scott) Johnston, and "adopted" daughter Jenny (Donovan) Thackery; grandchildren Molly (Kent) Haroz, Branden (Mahsa) Cobb, Derek Cobb, and Sara Trenor; great-grandchildren Nora and Sammy Haroz; and sister Sally (Miller) Begin. Dear to her heart were many nieces and nephews, as well as numerous great nieces and nephews; her spiritual daughter Linda (Paul) Alderfer; and her caregiver Sharon Baldwin.

The family sends a very special thank you to Jeannie Crevison, RN, BSN of Dayton Hospice, as well as the many other Dayton Hospice nurses who provided 'round the clock care to Betty for many days. Loving appreciation goes to Joan Zerkle and Sue Chamberlain for their care, as well.

A gathering of family and friends was held from 10-12 noon on Thursday, June 2, 2022 in the Vernon Funeral Home, Urbana, Ohio. Eastern Star service was provided by Caroline Chapter #39 at 12:00 noon. Funeral service followed with Pastor Kazy Hinds officiating.

Burial followed in Oakdale Cemetery, where she was buried next to her first husband, Samuel Forward.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Caring Kitchen, 300 Miami St., Urbana, OH 43078 or Hospice of Dayton, c/o Community Mercy Hospice, 1830 N. Limestone St., Springfield, OH 45503.