Betty Jane St. John

Betty Jane St. John (nee Habink) passed away on December 30, 2021.

Betty is survived by her four children Robert (Deborah Howard) St. John, Laura (David Ballinger) St. John, Judy (Mick) Lasco, and Leslie (Chris) Weaver; grandchildren Solomon (Lauren Infusino) St. John, Matt (Megan) Ballinger, Andy Ballinger, Emily (Brad) Peters, Dan Lasco (fiancee Kristen Fortuna), Violet Alice Radio, Amy Lasco, Hannah Weaver, Scott (Vika) Weaver, and Joe (Hannah) Weaver; great-grandchildren Millie and Cooper; and many who loved her as Aunt Betty. Betty was predeceased by parents John and Blanche Habink, brother Charles, sisters Lenora, Ruth, and Eva, friend and children's adoptive grandmother, Caroline O'Hara, and husband of 61 years, Richard St. John.

Born April 4, 1924, Betty grew up in Collinwood and attended Collinwood High School and Fenn College (now Cleveland State University). After graduating college Betty worked as a chemist at Republic Steel.

She met her husband, Richard St. John, through college friends; they married in 1948. Dick and Betty built a house and home in Richmond Hts. in 1954. They became active members of the community and were founding members of Faith United Church of Christ; Dick served as mayor of the town in the 70s. Members of the Boosters Club and a local dance club, Betty and Dick forged strong ties with many people. Betty was a Girl Scout leader, member of several neighborhood bridge clubs, and charter member of the Richmond Hts. Garden Club. Dick and Betty made many good friends through the Babes of 1916 bowling and softball leagues. 
 
Betty attended Camp Whitewood retreats for 24 years and traveled to Marine reunions with Dick for many years, meeting up with his fellow WWII veterans of the USS Enterprise. Betty loved to travel to visit friends and experience the outdoors. For 30 years she attended Habink family reunions at Letchworth State Park, the last time in 2021 at age 97. Betty loved nature and the outdoors: traveling, camping, and caring for her houseplants and her gardens. 
 
An avid reader, Betty participated in hundreds of book discussions over the years, passing on a love of reading to all her children. Betty was an excellent listener; many people were drawn to her because of her accepting, non-judgmental nature. Being there for family and friends, hosting holiday gatherings, and volunteering in countless ways were pillars of Betty's life. As she aged, Betty's advice to others was to "keep moving." She kept that zest for life to the end.​​
 
On January 10, Betty was interred at Knollwood Cemetery in a private family service.

A Celebration of Life service, with luncheon reception, will be held April 2 at 11:30am at Faith United Church of Christ, 575 Richmond Rd., Richmond Hts. OH 44143. 

Donations in Betty's memory may be made to Faith United Church of Christ, Minister's Discretionary Fund, at 575 Richmond Rd., Richmond Hts., OH 44143.

ARRANGEMENTS BY FIORITTO FUNERAL SERVICE OF NORTHEAST OHIO