Betty Bywater

Betty Sue Bywater, age 89, peacefully passed away in her home at Red Bud, Woodland Terrace, Bridgman on January 26, 2008. Her two daughters and two granddaughters were with her at the time of death.

Betty Sue was born May 23, 1918 in St. Joseph to Eva (Church) and Harrold Slayton. She graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1936 where she was an honor student and a varsity cheerleader.

After graduating, "Sue" attended the University of Michigan School of Nursing in Ann Arbor where she earned her RN degree. Sue was employed at Harper Hospital in Detroit where she helped establish the hospital's first Intensive Care Unit. She married Thomas M. Sweeney in 1940.

After the United States entered WWII, Sue and another nurse helped a doctor set up the first Red Cross blood bank in Michigan and the second in the United States. They drew blood from people, packed it in bottles, and sent it to wounded US troops.

Sue and her family moved back to Benton Harbor in 1944 where she began working at Mercy Hospital in Obstetrics. She helped deliver hundreds of babies during her 20 years in OB. She later underwent training to help in the hospital's first open-heart surgery unit where she was head nurse. During her tenure at Mercy Hospital, she was a leading figure in the effort to unionize the nursing staff. The result was better pay and benefits for nurses, who at the time, earned less than teachers.

In 1974 Betty Sue married Gerald C. Bywater, owner and proprietor of Bywater's Market in Benton Harbor. The couple enjoyed traveling all over the United States and Canada as well as throughout Mexico in their RV. The couple also traveled to Europe. They moved to Bartow, Florida in 1980 and Sue lived there until 2002.

Memorial Service

Saturday May 24, 2008

Friends and relatives will gather to celebrate Sue's life on May 24 – her 90th birthday.

View the image gallery

1-888-579-7953 Code: 74680P


Facts Born: May 23, 1918
Place of Birth: St. Joseph, Michigan
Death: January 26, 2008
Place of Death: Bridgman, Michigan
Survived By her brother, Dean (Helen) Slayton of South Bend, Indiana and Bartow, Florida; two daughters – Barbara "Sandy" (Les) Page, Jr. Of Stevensville and Karen "Kay" Sweeney a full-time RVer; seven grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. Preceded in Death By her brother, Richard Slayton; her sister, Barbara Feather; and husband, "Jerry" Bywater.

Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
Hospice at Home, 4025 Health Park Ln., St. Joseph, MI 49085.