Mary Elizabeth Bezy

Mary Elizabeth Bezy

October 16, 1921 – October 26, 2020

Age 99

Mary Elizabeth (Bachhuber) Bezy, of Bellevue, NE, peacefully went to meet our Lord on Monday, October 26, 2020.  Mary Elizabeth was born on October 16, 1921, in Mayville, WI, the first of three children of Marguerite Riley and Gilbert Eugene Bachhuber.  She was married on June 2, 1947, in Seattle, WA, to Henry “Hank” Bezy, Jr.

Mary Elizabeth grew up with a vibrant family in Mayville and graduated from Mayville High School in 1939.  She attended St. Agnes School of Nursing in Fond du Lac, WI, graduating in 1943.  She and six classmates then joined the Army Nurse Corp war effort taking the train to March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA, where she nursed and cared for wounded soldiers.

In 1947 she left the army, married, and then Hank was transferred to Fairbanks, AK, where their travels and adventures together began.  The first three children arrived before the twin sons, and their European assignment to Evreux, France.  The young family learned some French before venturing out to explore the nearby churches and treasures of Lourdes, Paris, Normandy, Luxemburg, and the beaches of the Mediterranean.  Hank’s golf took them to beautiful locations, and Mary Elizabeth discovered her passion for all things Italian after her Orient Express experience.  When they next moved to Bitburg, Germany, their growing family continued to explore Europe, especially Brussels, Trier, Austria, Garmish, Bavaria, and the German Alps.

Eventually returning to the states, they relocated to Altus, OK, where Mary Elizabeth continued her volunteer work with the American Red Cross, opening and coordinating school nurse programs from Europe back to the U.S.  She seemed to have extra hours in her days as she also raised five children, kept up her bridge game, and often traveled to Wisconsin to visit her father at the cabin on the river and her sister’s family.

When Hank was transferred one last time to SAC headquarters at Offutt AFB in Bellevue, NE, life shifted into high gear as Mary Elizabeth began part time nursing at the St. Joseph Hospital.  She always prioritized family first, closely followed by church groups and activities, her dearest neighbors, her weekly sewing club that met for decades, her bridge game, and always her wonderful friends.  She and Hank liked to entertain and were well known for their annual Christmas parties with generous eggnog.

After Hank died too young, Mary Elizabeth made time again for travels.  She annually donated a month of volunteer nursing with the Red Cross on the island of St. Lucia, which she found most meaningful and beautiful.  Otherwise she, family, and friends were traveling to see grandchildren, floating down the Amazon, savoring the opera in Italy, participating in festivals on the British Isles, revisiting favorite European churches and locations, knitting blankets, playing bridge, volunteering at the library, and meeting for evening ‘attitude adjustments.’

Her most prized possession was the entry wall photograph of her grandchildren gathered at the family cabin for a Baptism.  Mary Elizabeth lived life abundantly as a woman of faith, family, friends, patriotism, and fun!  She will always be loved and remembered as an amazing wife, mother, Nana, Great Nana, prayer warrior, dear friend to many, and force to be reckoned with by all!  Mary Elizabeth proudly loved God, her five children, her twelve grandchildren, great grandchildren, and treasured her dear friends near and far!   May she forever rest in peace and favor with our God in Heaven!

We remember and honor two dear family priests who led us in faith and have gone before us, Fr. Andrew Bachhuber, SJ, and Fr. Gregory Bezy, SCJ.

Preceded in death by husband Henry; parents Gilbert and Marguerite; brother Andrew; sister Jean.

Survived by children John, Susan, Mark, Tim, Tom; 12 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Sunday, November 1st, 5-7 p.m., Guild Rosary 4:30 p.m., Vigil Service and Nurse Honor Guard 7:00 p.m., all at Bellevue Memorial Chapel.

To view video of the Vigil Service, click the link below:

https://boxcast.tv/view/mary-elizabeth-bezy-975822

Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, November 2nd, 10:30 a.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2302 Crawford St., Bellevue.

To view video of the Funeral Service, click the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/123762191191/videos/1271513539881785/

Interment: Offutt Air Force Base Cemetery

Memorials: St. Mary’s Church Perpetual Adoration Society or St. Mary’s School.

7 Comments

  • Jennie Kay Hosselkus Posted October 29, 2020 1:59 pm

    Another angels goes home. Prayers, Love and condolences to the family.

  • Molly Henkel Posted October 30, 2020 9:39 am

    Auntie B – you were my absolute favorite….. Rest in Peace! You will be missed.

  • Patricia Shikoski Posted October 30, 2020 6:05 pm

    I am so happy I got to talk to Auntie B on Thursday before she passed…..she was my mentor as I grew into adulthood….I will miss her but she will always be in my heart. Thanks Aunt Betty!!

  • Kevin and Mary Duffy Posted November 1, 2020 12:00 pm

    Bezy family, we were so sorry to hear about the death of your Mother. She was a wonderful and a very gracious person. May God grant all of you comfort. We know that you have so many wonderful memories of her. St. Peter is welcoming her into Heaven with, ” Welcome, Good and Faithful servant.” RIP Betty

  • patti payne Posted November 2, 2020 12:11 pm

    Sending my Love to you all! She was a very special lady!

  • Kevin and Mary Duffy Posted November 2, 2020 8:07 pm

    We were so sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. May God grant all of you comfort. Betty was a class act and a very special person. RIP Betty

  • Tim & Diane Valley Posted November 11, 2020 8:08 am

    John and the Bezy Family, We were sorry to hear about your Mother. Our thoughts, prayers are with you during this difficult time. With condolences. Diane, Tim. Ogdensburg NY

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *