Elizabeth Mary Musto Verkerke Gonda

Betty was a mother of five, grandmother of 19, great grandmother of 13, and second mother to many friends and spouses. Betty lived a beautiful and full life. Betty was fun-loving, smart, hard-working, feisty, and so very gentle. She was deeply spiritual, anchored by her Catholic faith. Betty was always welcoming friends and relatives into her home and volunteered through the years at church, scouts, and school. Betty worked tirelessly to create an enriching life for her family. She truly was the heart of the home.

Betty was beautiful inside and out. She married her high school sweetheart, Ed Verkerke, at eighteen and soon after became a mother. Betty had five "live" children at birth and two angels who went straight to heaven. Betty lavished each of her children with love and intense protection - affectionately earning her the nickname "Mom-the-Bomb". She was always a role model, not just to her family, but to many who knew of the adversity she endured throughout her life. Betty was forced to grow up fast, as she lost her sister, father, and brother before she was a teenager. At age eleven Betty assumed adult responsibilities to clean the house and prepare meals when her mother was forced to work to raise the family. Betty's caregiver role continued through her life as she cared for both her mother-in-law and mother while also caring for Ed who struggled through his life with heart disease. Betty managed these challenges in stride and did not let them impact the quality of life she created for her family.

Betty was widowed at the age of 53 after 34 years of marriage to Ed. While coping with grief she managed to rise to new heights and rode a wave of courage as she led the family and re-entered the workforce. She was still caring for her mother when she accepted a position at Sears. Betty adapted well to Sears and loved her work. Her performance was rewarded with increased responsibilities, and she finished her career in customer service. Betty very much cherished her Italian heritage and in retirement traveled to Italy to connect with her roots. It was around this time that Betty started to date Frank Gonda, a family friend for many years through St Valentine's church. Betty and Frank married on March 6,1999 and were married for nearly 25 years.

Betty and Frank combined their beautiful families and began a new life, being particularly active for many years at their home parish of St. James. They volunteered, ushered, and became officers in their Prime Timers group. They enjoyed time in Florida each year and also traveled to Poland. Betty always put her family first and treasured many family dinners, holidays, and cottage vacations.

As her last years became increasingly difficult, Betty's inner beauty and strength manifested in many ways. She remained feisty and tough as well as gentle and loving. The last few years Betty resided at Cedarbrook of Northville where the staff and aides would often remark about Betty's strength. These angels allowed Betty's personality to shine, as they enjoyed her scrappiness and spunky mannerisms while also preserving her dignity.

Betty loved and was proud of each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Betty led by example and instilled strength, grit, respect, responsibility, generosity, loyalty, and love in her family. These qualities and traits now run deep through her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Betty came from humble beginnings and managed to cultivate a beautiful and strong family with so many riches.
Betty's life was well lived and made a lasting impact on so many – she will be missed.

Visitation for Betty will be held at the O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home 41555 Grand River Ave, Novi, 48375 on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. A prayer service and a time to share memories will begin at 6:00 PM at the funeral home on Thursday, February 22, 2024. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024 at St. James Catholic Church, Novi 46325 W 10 Mile Rd, Novi, 48374, with an instate period from 9:30 AM until the Mass begins at 10:00 AM. Immediately following the Mass, guests are invited to meet at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield to say a final prayer and lay Betty to rest. A luncheon will be held at Cantoro Trattoria 15550 N Haggerty Rd, Plymouth MI 48170 in the Mezzanine from about 12:30 PM until 2:00 PM. For those not going to the cemetery but wishing to attend the lunch, we will serve light hors d'oeuvres and beer, wine and others beverages starting at 11:30 at Cantoros.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The American Brain Foundation