Our loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Ebert passed away peacefully on July 12th. Born Mary Elizabeth Van Dam on November 11th, 1920, she was one of the 14 children (8 boys and 6 girls) of Herbert Evans Van Dam and Lillieth Ann (Smith) Van Dam. Betty arrived at the bucolic time when her father, a prominent Salt Lake attorney, could keep a cow on the family home on Seventh East in metropolitan Salt Lake.
Betty was a proud graduate of Granite High School who at age 95 could still sing the Granite fight song. She then attended Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University) where she met George William Ebert of Granite, UT. They were subsequently married in the Salt Lake Temple on February 3, 1940. George and Betty and their growing family lived in a variety of locations around southern Salt Lake.
Betty was a wonderful lady with a sharp, inquisitive mind who lived life with grace and humor. Being a Van Dam she was full of spunk, spit and grit. She also was a stalwart, upbeat caring woman with a welcoming disposition. She loved reading, particularly anything by Tom Brokaw. Early on she considered herself a shark on the tennis court. Later in life she found wordsearch puzzles which could keep her entertained for hours.
Most of all she loved her family. Betty dearly loved her husband George and her children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. She could make each one feel they were her favorite. All loved her in return.
She enjoyed her time spent serving in a variety of positions in the LDS church including callings as Relief Society president and Primary president.
Betty is survived by her sister Doris Bailey, four children: Carol (Jim Ferrell), Ron (Perri), Mark (Diane) and Julie (Wes Smith); 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were George, her husband of 60 years, and her daughter, Ginni (Wayne Bingham).
Since George's passing Betty has lived with her daughter Julie and son-in-law Wes who made her an integral part of the Smith family over the last 13 years. Over the last 4 years Julie has been ably and compassionately assisted by Oli Tesina whose care for Betty was superb. Intermountain Hospice was a superlative resource for Betty's last days, both from physical aspects of Betty's care, but, more especially, the advice, counsel and moral support provided to Julie and Wes in these emotional times.
The funeral service for Mary Elizabeth Van Dam Ebert will be held beginning at 11 am on July, 18th at the East Millcreek 6th Ward, 3103 East Craig Drive (3600 South) Salt Lake City, Utah. Burial next to George in the Granite Cemetery (2949 East 9800 South) will follow. A visitation will be held beginning at 9:30 until 10:30 prior to the service at the ward. The family has requested memorial donations be directed to Intermountain Hospice or the charity of your choice.
