Bette Lou McGruder's Obituary
After a hard-fought battle with lingering illnesses, Bette Lou McGruder, 90, of Bonita Springs, FL passed away peacefully on October 10, 2020 while in hospice care. Ms. McGruder was born in CA on July 25, 1930 to father James and mother Margaret McHugh McGruder, who predeceased her. Bette was also preceded in death by her only brother James P. McGruder; as well as her beloved sister, Pat Hopson; and dear friend Dr. Franklin A. Johnson.
Bette is survived by her lifelong friend, Elena Johnson, FL; her youngest sister Mary J. Cummins, FL; nephew and niece, Jim Cummins, FL and Jody Rohleder, CO, niece Coleen Sherwood, MI, nephews Dave Hopson, AZ and Kent Hopson, CO; friend Terri Cochran, VA; along with many surviving cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews and their children.
Bette spent her childhood years in Colorado before she headed to New York at the tender age of 21 to become an actress. She attended acting school, worked in her first off Broadway show, did voice overs and commercials and even a few movies. When she was not pursuing acting, she worked in banks and as a bookkeeper to many small businesses. Bette loved to sing karaoke, dance, do stand-up comedy, and even created her own one-woman variety show, with lots of help from her friend Elena Johnson, that she took all over South Florida entertaining seniors. She wrote her own material and created her own props and costumes. Bette’s boundless energy kept her constantly improving her talents into her late 80’s. In her younger years she enjoyed traveling, golf and tennis.
Bette will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends. A private burial is being planned. Arrangements for her final care have been entrusted to Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.
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