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A Friend Lost to Covid

A long time friend . . . like from 50+ years, passed away this morning due to Covid. It wasn’t totally unexpected. She’s been in ICU and on a vent for weeks but the family has held out hope til the end. She’d appear to be getting better and then have a setback.

I went to high school with this lady and her husband. Betty was two years behind me and in the same class with my sister and they were friends so I got to know her then through my sister. Her husband, Mitch, was one year behind me and everyone in school knew him. They were truly high school sweethearts and if you saw them at any time, you’d think they were just dating. They loved each other with the kind of love, devotion, admiration that most of us, even those of us with good marriages, wish we had.

They had 9 children . . all biological children. They are all good . . I want to say kids but the older ones are pushing middle age now. The entire family does a tremendous amount of social work, donations, just good in the community where they live.

The last time I knew, they had 54 grandkids . . maybe more now.

Mitch built our purple Victorian house and in the probably 18 months of planning and getting that house built, the four of us took weekend trips to Houston often to look at houses, get ideas, look for old doorknobs, etc. It was during that time that we got to know them as adults and then stayed in contact.

But, the greatest thing ever – Betty’s effort and the work she did through a church sponsored help group for unwed mothers is the only reason I have Chad today. Without Betty, it just would not have happened. I was taking some night classes at the local university. It was December near the end of the semester and I got home one night about 9:30 p.m., listened to messages on the answering machine – before cell phones – and Betty had left a message that she thought she had a baby that we would be able to adopt. “Call me when you hear this . . no matter how late it is.” I called her, got all the details she could share. My ex was out of town. I called him . . by then it was close to 11 p.m. I shared everything I could remember with him, called Betty back and said YES. Two weeks later, we got the call that we had a son. The process of placing a baby was a long one and this baby and a home for this baby (Chad) had already been completed but at the last minute, for reasons unknown to me, that family couldn’t take the baby. Betty knew we were good people, could easily pass all the background checks and she knew we had considered adopting.

I know I’ve told Betty a million times how much I appreciate what she did and that getting Chad, of course, changed my life for the better in ways I could never have imagined. I wish I could tell her one more time! She didn’t need to hear it; she knew . . but I wish I could have said it one more time.

I went back last night and read some of our old FB messenger conversations. She was an amazing person and will be missed by so many, especially her husband of almost 50 years, her precious children and grandchildren.

I was going to say I’m a better person because of having known Betty but that doesn’t even start to cover it . . I wouldn’t be a mom or a grandma had it not been for her. She will always have a very special place in my heart.

If you’re a praying person, please say a prayer for Mitch Martin and their family.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. So sorry for your loss and yes prayers for her! We lost a friend to Covid in December. He also had been married almost 50 years. Horrible virus. Please folks get your vaccinations!

  3. I am so sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing person who made a positive impact on the world. Prayers for her family.

  4. Judy, I’m so sorry for your loss of a wonderful friend. Prayers for you and all her family and friends. What a wonderful legacy she has left behind. Hugs and prayers!

  7. I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. She sounds like a very wonderful person. Prayers for all who loved her.

    • She left such a great legacy. I had to stop reading comments by her grandkids on her Facebook page or I would have sat here and cried all day.

  9. I am so sorry Judy. Words don’t diminish the pain of losing someone you love. Know that you have my support, cyberhugs and prayers as you deal with her death and your grieving.

  10. So sorry for your loss. I know she has a very special place in your heart as I too have an adopted daughter that I was just a at the right place and right time.

  11. Such sad news for you. She sounds like a very special lady; I’m sorry for your loss. Prayers for all.

  12. I think I speak for many of us that I’m sorry for your loss of a special friend and the loss felt by all her family and friends and yes, even those who never experienced a good and kind womans touch. Sending prayers your way and please allow yourself time to grieve. Love and hugs Judy xx

  13. I am so sorry for your loss so such a special lady in your life. Prayers for her family.

  14. I’m so sorry Judy. Losing a friend is hard, but this lady sounds like such an amazing person. So much more than just a friend. What a blessing she was. God bless her family.

  15. Judy I have no words it’s heartbreaking to hear she was a wonderful woman who put others before herself … so so sorry praying for the family and you and yours.
    This COVID-19 is just awful.

  17. I am so sad to hear about the loss of such a special friend. Such a horrible disease and taking way too many. Please know that you have so many readers sending comforting hugs your way.

  18. So sorry for the loss of your dear friend, a caring and wonderful person. Prayers for you and her family. My 58 yo son had been treated for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for 10 years. He was diagnosed with Covid January 4 and died March 22. I have to remind myself he’s not going to drop by to visit. This virus has affected so many people.

  20. So sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like such a special lady. A true angel here on earth. Prayer for you and her family.

  21. I am so sorry for your loss, Judy. I will keep the Mitch Martin family in my prayers for sure. She was an amazing woman. Peace and comfort to all who love her.

  22. I am so very sorry Judy, so many have better words than I have. Keeping you in my thoughts.

  23. Judy, I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. You have such precious memories to treasure. Saying prayers for you and her family.

  24. My condolences on your loss! It’s a blessing when your life is impacted by people like your friend.

  25. I am so sorry to see this. Of course I will pray for him and his children. A friend like that is too hard to find. May God be with them in this time of need. COVID is a terrible thing!

  26. So sorry for the loss of what sounds like a wonderful woman. Prayers for everyone who loved her

  27. I can only reiterate what has been said, Judy. I too am sorry for your pain of this loss. I will pray, most particularly for Mitch; it isn’t easy learning to live without that special person one shared life with for 50+years. Their beloved children and grands and you too, will be remembered.

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