Elizabeth "Betty" Wardwell Ewing - passed peacefully in her sleep November 4th, at the age of 104. Born May 20, 1908 in Thomas, West Virginia to Joseph & Agatha (Mazitis) Narakas, baptized Elzbieta Norejko.

Betty was proud of her Lithuanian heritage and lived a full life. She often shared stories of her life, family and grandparents Teresa and Alexander Mazitis. They risked everything to come to America, after Lithuania became czarist ruled leaving the people with no rights. Her grandfather arrived first about 1885, he earning a poor man's dollar as a coal miner, his wife and daughter Agatha arrived in 1890. Betty's family saved for five years for passage. They all survived a risky escape and their meager savings only paid for travel in steerage on an immigrant ship.

Betty moved to Detroit in 1926 for work. She always found a job - "doing a man's work for a woman's pay." Betty married Hubert Wardwell in 1928 an employee of Chrysler's, he was one of the first UAW union organizers. In 1947 she re-married Archie Ewing a railroad employee. Betty was a loyal Democrat and Union supporter. Betty, loved to crochet, read and EAT CHOCOLATE!

Surviving are five of her six children. Patricia (George) Hollon of Buckley; Jean Eisbrenner of Traverse City; John Wardwell, Sr. of Sterling Heights; Catherine Kulich of Bozeman, Montana; and Joann Ewing (Brian Bensett) of Traverse City. Betty lost a son Donald Wardwell who had Friedreich's ataxia, she cared for him his entire life.

All her grandchildren were her favorites, 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren survive Grandma Betty.

Contributions in her name may be directed to the Commission on Aging, 520 W. Front, Suite B, Traverse City, MI 49684 or to Muscular Dystrophy. Cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering is being planned for late Spring.