Betty Anne Topping Ost-Everley, age 58, of Kansas City, Missouri entered into Christ’s full glory on March 31, 2015. She was born on October 1, 1956 to her parents Marion and Hazel Topping. A graduate of Southwest High School in 1974, Betty was a consummate professional in both the for-profit and non-profit arenas, having worked for Otis Elevator, Trinity Lutheran Hospital, Midwest Ear Institute, and Integrated Health Strategies. She was also a tireless volunteer and board member for her neighborhood community and groups such as Professional Secretaries International, Friendship Inn and the Marlborough Community Coalition. Known also for her love of music, Betty led music groups at her church including handbell and vocal choirs. Betty was an avid gardener, artisan, and was a church deacon. Betty was also an internationally published author, and her words will live on in her books and short essays.
Over the last seven months, Betty fought valiantly against acute myeloblastic leukemia, ultimately receiving a marrow transplant. Her will to fight AML with courage and strength and her ability to take challenge head-on remains a source of inspiration for many.
Betty was predeceased by her parents, Marion and Hazel, and leaves behind her husband, Terry Everley, of the home, her daughter, Rachel, her son, Jacob, both of Kansas City, Missouri, and brother, Roger (Kathy), and niece and nephew Jennifer and Mark of San Antonio, Texas.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 2 pm at South Broadland Presbyterian Church, 7850 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial gifts may be made to South Broadland Presbyterian Church and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 6811 Shawnee Mission Parkway Suite 202, Cloverleaf Building 1
Shawnee Mission, KS 66202-4001
(913) 262-1515. Assistance by Funeral Advocates, LLC.
I am so sorry about Betty. She was a fighter but now she is at peace with her Heavenly Father . My deepest sympathy goes out to all the family
Betty always had a smile on her face no matter what she was going through and she could always make you laugh. I will miss her, her sweet smile and her kind words.
The family has my deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Do you have the address of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Socity to send a (check) donation ? Thank you!
Prayers and hugs to Terry, Jake and Rachel and extended family. Love, Linda & Wayne Goebel.
So sorry for you loss of Betty. Our prayers and thoughts are with you as you travel this journey. May you find comfort in all that she was able to accomplish in the short time that we all had with her.
Our deepest sympathies,Terry, Jacob and Rachel. Betty was such a wonderful person. I can’t imagine going through Scouts without her! Blessings to you all. The Ottinger Family
Terry, Rachel, Jake,
My heart breaks for you. Your mom was in incredible woman with an incredible heart. The legacy that she left will live on forever in you three. Her strength in these last few months was an incredible testimony to me. At last she is at peace, although it will take you a while to get there. Remember who you are and where you came from and in that you will be honoring her. Carry-on in faith and be all the things that she dreamed that you would be, we love you so much guys.
I have updated the obituary post with the local address. Thank you
I’ll always remember Betty as one of the smartest, kindest and most dynamic people I’ve ever worked with! She helped so many people and will be very much missed. My prayers to Terry and all of her family.
I have been thinking about Betty since her medical woes began. My heart breaks knowing she has passed. Indeed Heaven is a happier place for her presence in it. She was such a bright soul to work with, always happy, always positive. I looked forward to having to connect with her. The world lost a truly great human being with a heart of gold. Rachel, Jake & Terry, I am truly so very sorry for your loss. May God be with you during this sad time.
Blessings to you Rachel, Terry and Jake! We will always remember the fun Steve and I had with all of you. And even though we are miles away, our prayers are with you. We know Betty in in her Lord and Savior’s loving arms! Steve and Linda McGill
Betty was indeed a mover and shaker. I have just known her a few years, but have been inspired by her knowledge and her enthusiasm for everything good. She will be missed by all.
Betty always inspired me. She fought for what she believed in, and was a light in the darkness. She “took on City Hall” so many times–and won! She looked forward with vision and strength. She was the go-to person in her neighborhood and at church. I miss her.
You were such a graceful woman, and didn’t deserve your fight with the disease. Go into paradise, Betty. And may the angels lead you.
To Terry, Rachel, and Jake, Our deepest condolences on the loss of Betty. She was a friend to all of us and we will miss her so much. She was a spark on our reunion committee and always had more irons in the fire than anyone I ever knew. I also never saw her angry, even when she was stressed out. She and you all are in our thoughts and prayers. She was a rare gem and will be sorely missed.
I just learned of Betty’s death. I had been out of town. I am so sorry that I didn’t get to see her. She was a great writer and was influential in helping Friendship Inn grow as a not-for-profit agency. I have many fond memories of our discussions about writing, Friendship Inn, and so much more. She was a such a lady.
Betty emailed me after reading one of my books. As we chatted, we discovered that my father was the doctor who delivered her and that we both graduated from Southwest High School. We never met but were friends on email for nearly five years. With those communications, I got to know her and to admire her gumption. She was such a hard worker, a genuine person, and a deeply religious woman. I will miss her emails and our posts on Facebook very much.