Elizabeth Jane Mckenzie

Betty McKenzie passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023. Born Elizabeth Jane Conley in East Cleveland, on July 5, 1943, she was the youngest of Marvin and Vernice’s three daughters and twin to their only son.

Sister Liz grew up in Kirtland and attended Kirtland High School where she was active in sports, and met her future husband of 60 plus years, Joe McKenzie.

Betty and Joe settled down in Chardon in 1965 and Betty couldn’t sit still. She was a great cook and homemaker. She sold Avon, worked at Peoples Savings Bank and eventually started and ran her very own business, Spotless Homes. She was also a professional shopper.

Mom was involved as a school volunteer with bingo, as a recess aide, and other activities at St. Mary’s Elementary where she enrolled her three kids. She loved sports and followed the Buckeyes and all the Cleveland pro teams. As a 60-year resident of Chardon, she was an avid Chardon Hilltopper and Kirtland Hornets fan.

Survivors are her husband of 62 years, Joseph McKenzie, Sr.; children, Joe, McKenzie Jr., Bob (Robin) McKenzie and Laura McKenzie (John Busler); grandchildren, Tabitha (Pantelis) Kouvaris, Keith Rountree, Hunter Jones (Chloe Wiberg) and Brianna McKenzie; great-grandchildren, Niko, Athena-Marie, Iliana and Elysia and sisters, Barb (Larry, Sr.) Hill and Roberta (Tom, Sr.) Cole. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and their families and her beloved dog, Casey.

Aunt Betty could be as vicious as a wildcat or as sweet as a kitten, but more than anything, she was thoughtful and genuine. She was the great unifier and wanted to help with sound advice, a sarcastic joke, or just a hug. She really had a great sense of humor.

Grammy made sure we got on the bus and was always there to welcome us home with a juice box and gummies at any time. And Grammy loved to shop, especially when it was for us.

Great Gramm also liked to crochet; mostly afghans, scarves and hats, but more than anything she LOVED to pull weeds in the garden, weirdly enough, any garden.

Elizabeth J. McKenzie unexpectedly passed away. Her LIFE was her FAMILY. She was the best sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to everyone. We ALL will miss her dearly.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 4-8 PM at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, 4154 Clark Avenue, Willoughby.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 401 North Street, Chardon. Interment will be at South Kirtland Cemetery following the Mass.