Betty Jane Tufts

August 9, 1926 - July 5, 2018

Betty Jane ‘BB’ Tufts, 91 of Traverse City, passed away July 5, 2018, after a perfect day spent with generations of her family. Betty was born August 9, 1926 to Axel and Mary (Pomerick) Hansen in Chicago, IL. On the campus of Purdue University, a Navy pilot and a girl who loved to dance went on a blind date. It was the start of a marriage that saw Betty and Vaughan Tufts raise a family, chase the sun to the ocean, and hold hands while the sun set over Bay View. Betty -”BB” or “Grammie” to her grandkids - was full of life, loving and determined to help others. Her family remembers her as the one who taught them to keep their elbows off the table, but, was quick to sneak treats to grandchildren; who was never afraid to speak her mind, but, was always quick to laugh. They’d like to think she’s found a nice quiet place to catch up with Vaughan while he hums “Violets” and they slow dance in each other’s arms. She was involved in many groups and was the leader and mastermind behind many others. Most recently, she started a knitting group at Glen Eagle for ladies to knit a blanket and hat to welcome every baby going home from Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, MI. She made numerous prayer group shawls with friends, sending them all over the country to offer support to the recipients. Betty is survived by her children; Vaughan (Ellen Hale-Tufts) Tufts, Karrie Tufts and Nancy (Steven) Riecker, grandchildren; Sarah (Michael) Block, Rebecca (Raj) Bhowmick, Jonathan (Angela) Ault, Lissa Ault, Randall Riecker and Micah (Jenny) Riecker. She is also survived by her great grandchildren; Emma, Norah, Maya, Livi, Mae, Finn, Vaughn, Frank and Oscar, as well as many Panhellenic and PEO sisters and close friends from Glen Eagle and Bay View. She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her sister, Helen Almquist. For those considering an expression of sympathy in Betty’s honor please do so to The Bay View Association Annual Fund, 1715 Encampment Ave., PO Box 583, Petoskey, MI 49770. A memorial service will be held at Crouse Chapel in Bay View, MI on July 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your condolences and memories with the family on Betty’s tribute page. The family is being cared for and served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.