Betty L. Tinney

TINNEY, Betty L. age 91 of The Brookhaven community, formerly of Waynesville, passed away Friday March 2, 2018. She was born April 23, 1926 in Waynesville, OH daughter of the late Guy & Ollie (Bointnott) Routzahn. Betty was preceded in death by one brother Russell Routzahn and one sister Geneva Drummond. She is survived by 3 children Leonard (Cheryl) Tinney, Connie (Fred) Williams, Nancy Boggs; grandchildren Jeffrey (Julia) Tinney, Jodie (Drew) Shields, Matthew (Danya) Taylor, Starla (David) Starr, Brent (Linda) Taylor, Melissa (Adrian) Palmer, Stefanie (Marco) Palmer; 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the staff at Brookhaven Rehab, Long Term Care, and Independent Living and especially Peg Missimer for their loving care of Betty throughout her time at Brookhaven. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. If so desired, contributions may be made to Hospice of Dayton in Betty’s memory. A message from Brent Taylor (grandson)

My Grandmothers Gift

I remember it all too vividly. The telephone was handed to me as the tangled 8ft cord stretched around the kitchen corner. July 31, 1984 had been the worst night of my life. Every child’s worst fear, having been realized just a short while before. My Father had passed away and now I felt all alone even though I was surrounded by family, friends, and neighbors. There was noise and confusion in the room as I placed that phone to my ear. Through the sobs and my racing heartbeat, I heard the voice on the other end of the line. I will never forget the words that I heard that night. They were simple, soothing, and exactly what a 12 year old boy needed at that moment. It was my Grandmother and she asked me a simple question. “Do you need Grandma?” I sobbed into the phone and she simply responded, “I’ll be there.”

True to her word, my Grandmother was there for us. She flew to Florida and stayed with us in our time of need. She was there to help Mom keep her sanity. She was there to help us cope with loss and to pray for us. I think most people would expect that of their Grandmother. However, my Grandmother was very different. After all of the mourners and well-wishers had gone, my Grandmother came to live with us. She gave up her home, her friends, and most of what she had known, to be there for us and help my Mother take care of 3 difficult children. I don’t mean difficult in the normal sense of the word. I mean 3 hellions who needed a lot of direction, time, and love. Grandma helped provide all of those.

I look back at those days as some of the best times in my life. Staying up all night to play Muggins or Rummy. Making crafts or listening to her talk about the farm and growing up in the home place with Little Grandma and Grandpa Routzahn. Best of all, Grandma would cook! Biscuits, Fudge, Cookies, and Popcorn Balls.

I believe anyone who met my Grandmother would describe her as gifted. She was talented in so many creative ways. How many people do you know who can make a castle from two sheets of paper, a paper clip, and some glue? A hat out of a shoe box or a doll from a clothespin? Not many people are blessed to be that gifted. However, I think she could be best described as a “Gift-Giver.” She touched thousands of people thought her work with the elderly. She prayed for thousands more in her faith. She gave selflessly to many people and causes but in my mind, her greatest gift was the time I got to spend with her, the inspiration she provided, and the prayers she said for me. That is a gift I will never forget.