Betty B. Tracey

Betty B. Tracey, 85, of Geneseo, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2018, at Good Samaritan Society in Geneseo, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 3, 2018, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory, Geneseo Chapel. Deacon Harley Chaffee will officiate. Inurnment will follow at the Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2018, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home, where the Rosary will be prayed at 4:00 p.m. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials may be left to the Betty Tracey Memorial Fund and will be dispersed to several local charities.

Betty was born on December 3, 1932, the daughter of Franklin and Ila (Lease) Brown, in Thomson Township, IL. She is a graduate of Savanna High School and also attended Black Hawk College where she received her broker’s license. Betty was united in marriage to Victor M. Tracey Jr. on January 11, 1953, in Savanna, IL. Betty and Vic raised four wonderful children together and were co-owners of Metro Reality in Geneseo for many years. Vic preceded her in death on May 7, 2014. After her time in real estate, Betty worked as a bookkeeper for Hardee’s Corporation, and later for Paul Miller. She also worked briefly for H&R Block. Betty was a member of St. Malachy Catholic Church in Geneseo and had participated as a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Women of the Moose. She is one of the founding members of the Kitchen Quarterback Club for the Green Machine football team. Betty and Vic enjoyed doing crafts and woodworking together. They worked from a woodshop in their home, which they named Kerfs & ‘Krylics, and would take their products to several craft shows in the area to be sold. Betty also enjoyed crocheting and was an incredible cook. Most of all, Betty loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Nancy (Mark) Argue, of Mount Horeb, WI, Carol Tracey (Lewis Opsal) of Geneseo, and Cheryl (Scott) Specht, of Port Byron, IL; son, Ron (Lori) Tracey, of Geneseo, and nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Betty is also survived by her brother, George Brown, of Thomson, IL, and her sister-in-law, Mary Jo Tracey, of Savanna, IL.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin and Ila, her husband, Vic, a brother, Vernon Brown, and sister, Barbara Cottral.