Betty Jean River, nee Brombolich, 81, born Nov. 23, 1931, in East St. Louis, Ill., died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, after a short stay at Relais Bonne Eau in Edwardsville, Ill.

As a young woman, Betty enjoyed softball and could not wait to play after school or work. For more than fifty years, she participated in bowling leagues - mixed doubles with her husband, and women's leagues with her many friends at Camelot Bowl.

We remember Mom as a nurturing person of all living things. She loved to be able to work outside in the yard and tend to her many flowers.

Winter was her least favorite season since it kept her indoors. In January she put on a "Welcome Spring!" cover on the mailbox in hopes of ending winter and causing the flowers and her beautiful yellow forsythia to burst forth sooner.

For Betty, education was one of the highest priorities. She and her husband, Mel, sacrificed to enable all their children to earn college degrees.

Her grandchildren were her biggest joy. She would sing to them for hours when they were small and tried to attend their sporting events.

There are so many happy family memories.

Betty was a generous, smart and devoted wife, mother, grandma, and friend.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, newspapers, books and television. And, she had a wonderful sense of humor. Our house was always full of laughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael Joseph Brombolich and Maxine Kathleen, nee Wayne, Brombolich; husband, Melvin Louis River; and brother, Michael Brombolich.

Surviving are her children, Thomas River of Collinsville, Ill., Richard River of Helena, Mont., and his wife, Kathy River, and Susan Ledford of Maryville, Ill., and her husband, Jeff Ledford; three grandchildren, Jessica, Scott, and Julianne Ledford of Maryville, Ill.; sister-in-law, Judy Brombolich of Sarasota, Fla.; and numerous friends and family members.

Memorials may be made to Hospice at Relais Bonne Eau. 7325 Marine Road, Edwardsville, Ill. 62025.

Funeral: No services will be held.