Betty Tryon

Betty M. Tryon, Born in Huntington, Indiana on March 22, 1920 (age 105)

Loving mother of Geoffrey (Betsy) and the late Steven (Fran); her grandchildren Erica (Christian), Ahren (Tamia), Connor (Mary) and Nolan (Emily); great grandchildren Maia (15), Solveig (14), Samina (12), Jules (11), Lucy (3), Allison

"Allie" (2) and Gabriella "Ella" (1). Preceded in death by her cherished parents Alfred "Pocky" and Valeria Kramer and loving daughter-in-law Sharon "Sherry" Orenic-Tryon.

Betty was born during the first pandemic in 1920 and survived the COVID pandemic. Even though she was not vaccinated, she contracted COVID twice. Surviving two pandemics is a powerful testament to her strength and resilience.

Betty grew up in Huntington, Indiana and received her Bachelors Degree in Music in 1943 from the Chicago Conservatory of Music. She then continued to earn a Masters Degree in Music from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Based on her music studies, she was an accomplished singer, pianist, performer and music educator. Betty was known for her beautiful lyric soprano voice and sang both opera and popular tunes.

She was well known in the Chicago music scene in the 1940's, after the war, and was the featured soloist with the Northerners on WGN radio. She also made numerous appearances on the ABC network. Betty performed, not only on radio, but also on television and stage in the Chicago area and around the country. Moving to Joliet in 1949, Betty's career included teaching music at the Ludwig School District in Lockport and Lincolnway High School in New Lenox when the first District high school opened. At Lincolnway, she wrote the school's fight song and also won the contest of choosing the school colors of red and black.

Betty had a long and cherished life, never being sick and taking no medication to the age of 105! She always credited her long life to the love she gave and received from her family and friends; her ability to have fun, making people happy and being friendly to all.

To the entire staff at the Mother Theresa Home in Lemont and to the Lightways Hospice Care Team, we send our sincere thanks and gratitude for the loving and kind care Betty received.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 19604 Wolf Road, Mokena, IL from 5:00 - 7:00pm. Interment at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Ossian, Indiana, Friday, June 6, 2025. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.