Betty Gish

Betty May Gish, 82, died June 20 at Aberdeen Village, Olathe, KS, completing a life dedicated to God, family and friends. A visitation will be held immediately following the service. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 5799 Broadmoor , Suite 504, Mission, KS, or the Alzheimer's Association, Heartland Chapter, 3846 W. 75th St., Prairie Village, KS. 66208.

Betty was one of those rare individuals who navigated life's ups and downs with a bright and sunny disposition and unfailing good humor. Her ready smile brightened the lives of all who were privileged to know her.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Norville R. (Norv) Gish, of Aberdeen Village; daughter Ginny Wilkins of Wilbraham, MA; and son Steve Gish of Lawrence, KS. Another son, Tom Gish, preceded her in death in 1984. The Wilkins family includes son-in-law Lee Wilkins and grandchildren Sarah, Beth and Adam. The Steve Gish family includes daughter-in-law Bobbie Gish and grandchildren Matt, Kristen, Caroline and Michael. Also surviving are a brother, Jack Argabright, of Orinda, CA, and Cheri Stubblefield of Overland Park, KS, widow of Tom Gish. Also preceding Betty in death was a sister, Joan Kruh.

A resident of Johnson County since 1953, Betty was, first and foremost, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. A strong Christian woman, she found time to be a friend to many and a frequent volunteer at her church and elsewhere. Before joining her husband in retirement, Betty was a talented teacher, serving first in a one-room country school in Brown County, KS; later as a second-grade teacher in Manhattan, KS; and finally as a substitute for many years in several Shawnee Mission District elementary schools. After retiring from teaching, she developed a second career as a sales consultant with two specialty gift shops, Holman's in Fairway, KS, and The Smith Company in Westwood, KS.

Betty was born January 23, 1925, in a farmhouse near Nemaha, NE, the first child of John and May Argabright. She attended elementary school in Stella, NE, and graduated from Hiawatha, KS High School in 1942. She attended Baker University in Baldwin, KS, for two years and there became a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. The next two years were spent teaching in the one-room school and working at the Martin Bomber Plant in Omaha, NE. Betty returned to college life in September 1946 at Kansas State University in Manhattan and married Norv Gish on August 10, 1947. She earned her degree in education in the spring of 1948 and taught second grade at Woodrow Wilson elementary school in Manhattan while Norv completed his undergraduate work. Following his graduation from Kansas State in 1949, they moved to Corvallis, OR, where Norv joined the faculty of Oregon State College. Betty gave birth to their first child, Tom, in 1950.

Tom was born with cystic fibrosis and required special care throughout a life that was far too short. Betty was always there for him. The births of two other children, Ginny and Steve, brought forth her exceptional talent for making each child feel special under her wise, loving and patient care.

From 2004 until her death, Betty was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Stanley. For 12 prior years, she was an active member of Village Presbyterian Church and a frequent volunteer there, especially in the food pantry. She also was a member of Countryside Christian Church for 35 years, often serving as a church school teacher, youth group sponsor and deaconess. She belonged to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and was a former president of the CF Auxiliary. She was a board member and volunteer for the Johnson County Christmas Bureau.

Betty was a voracious reader. She was a charter member of the Literettes, a book review group that met regularly for more than 40 years. She was also an avid bridge player and frequent golfer. In addition, she was a devotee of the daily newspaper crossword puzzle and loved to relax by piecing together difficult jigsaw puzzles.

Betty's warm, caring, friendly disposition and her gentle sense of humor made her a welcome addition to any group. She always avoided the spotlight, but led in her quietly gracious way, greeting one and all with her cheery smile. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and a host of friends.