Betty Irene Porter Melhuish

July 31, 1930 - October 31, 2016

Betty Irene Porter Melhuish, daughter of George Paynter Porter and Irene Elizabeth Porter was born July 31, 1930 in Philadelphia, PA. Betty was united in holy matrimony to Edwin Harvey Melhuish on June 28 of 1952. This union was blessed with four children. Edwin Harvey Melhuish preceded her in death on March 6, 2004. Betty was a graduate of Penn State University with her B.S. in Elementary Education. She continued her studies at the Eastern Michigan State College concentrating in Special Education, studied at the Eastern Washington State College completing coarse work in remedial reading and studied at the University of Dayton achieving her M.S. in reading. She began her career working as an Elementary School Teacher at Leedom Estates Elementary School in Ridly Park, PA in January 1952. In the subsequent years she increased her experience while teaching all areas of studies in various grade levels of Elementary and Middle School, including work as a principal of a middle school in Chinook, WA in 1953. Those that knew Betty knew she had a sincere passion and desire for teaching. As a result of that passion, she was granted a very successful and rewarding career in education. She was able to touch and enrich so many young lives and her influence will forever remain in all of those who knew her. Betty actively worked with the Diet Workshop, Caroline Emmons Jewelry, and Tupperware. As well she enjoyed square dancing, quilting, singing in Sweet Adelines, was a member of the Jaycee Wives, President with Alpha X and Chapter Director with Kappa Phi. She also enjoyed doing activities with her church. Betty quietly departed this life Monday, October 31, 2016 at Langdon Hall Assisted Living Facility in Bradenton, FL. She was preceded in death by her son: Scott Bradley Melhuish, sister: Edryth Porter Powell, father: George Paynter Porter and mother: Irene Elizabeth Edwards. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children; daughter: Donna Melhuish Spratt, son: Edwin Blake Melhuish and wife Sheree Lacalle Melhuish, daughter: Carolyn Melhuish Zinn and husband Lawrence Rolland Zinn; sister: Virginia Porter Cornell; grandchildren: Lenora Spratt Bale, Christopher Harvey Spratt, Haley Michelle Whitcomb, Tara Danielle Whitcomb, Natasha Melhuish Schumacher, Kyle Andrew Zinn, and Lauren Zinn Chastain; great-grandchildren: Brenna Elyse Schumacher, Raegan Rose Schumacher, Wyatt Scott Schumacher, Valerie Irene Spratt, and Sandra Joann Spratt; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday November 6, 2016 at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 912 53rd Ave West. She will be laid to rest at David’s Cemetery, Kettering, Ohio.