SEFTON Elizabeth Margaret (Beth) Sefton nee Huie extraordinary life partner of her husband George William (Bill) Sefton died at home December 3 2011 at the age of 90. Known as Grandmere her tremendous life force remains with her family and the many people whose lives she touched. Born in Sioux City Iowa she was a child of the depression who never wasted a material good or an opportunity to connect with anyone who needed her. During World War II she served as an Army nurse in England France and the Philipines. She and her paratrooper husband-to-be met in Mourmelon France. A part of the greatest generation she came home from the war married and applied hard work a steel will many talents a quick wit and a keen sense of humor to raise a family of ten children and to care for her aging parents. When at age 50 feeling her family was on firm ground she returned to her first love surgical nursing. She worked as an operating room nurse at Butterworth Hospital until the age of 72. Beth was a multi-faceted woman. She was an accomplished writer artist photographer and recorder of family history. Known for her compassionate and sometimes brutal honesty her advice was legendary. In family parlance she never failed to take the shot. Beth collected people and gave them a sense of belonging. Seftonville the home she and Bill created was and is a magnet for family friends and those who needed her counsel. She was a woman of faith and a channel of grace. She was abundantly blessed and every blessing she multiplied and passed on. Her quiet witness and helping hands spoke more eloquently than any sermon. She was creative and had an uncanny ability to come up with just the right thing sometimes from the oddest of materials. She delighted us with her artistic talents and encouraged us to look at the world with curious and enthusiastic eyes. Beth was preceded in death by her mother Amelia Torno Huie; father Robert Soon Huie and brother Robert S. Huie Jr. She is survived by her husband Bill; children Mary Beth Edmonds (Tom), Michael Sefton (Betty), Amelia Sefton Susie Sefton (Frank Burns), Laurie Sefton Henry Erb Rebecca Sefton (Hubert Kraemer), Bill Sefton (Sharon), Sarah Simon (Ed), David Sefton (Crystal), Kathy Miller (Alex); grandchildren Bret Hutchinson Jenni Taylor Lisa Walkendorf Beth Truskowski David and Steven Litchfield Tessa Kwant Kara Eagle Fischer Megan and Zoe Kraemer Becca and Leah Sefton Sarah Beth Alailima Ed Nick Joe George James Mary Elizabeth and Susi Jo Simon Jesse and David Sefton Katie Skero Will and Nick Miller fifteen great-grand children many cherished nieces and nephews including Bethe Giorgenti Mary Carol Roberts Tana Strain Robert Huie III Kym Huie and Suzy Monroe and multiple circles of precious friends including lifelong friends from St. Thomas the Apostle Parish the 501 Parachute Infantry Regiment Association and Butterworth Hospital Operating Room. A great life well lived. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10:30 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE Rev. James A. Chelich presiding. Visitation 2-4 6-8 with Rosary at 7:30 PM at the OBrien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home 3980 Cascade Rd., SE and one hour prior to the service at church. Seriously in lieu of flowers the family would really appreciate donations to the Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids 2025 Fulton NE Grand Rapids MI 49503 www.grdominicans.org
