Elizabeth Ellen Novy Proulx

Elizabeth Ellen Novy Proulx

Saginaw, MI

Elizabeth "Betty" Proulx passed away peacefully in her home with her family at her side at the age of 90. Betty was born July 18, 1932, in Saginaw Michigan to Dr. Frank 0. and Estelle (Freeman) Novy. She had two sisters Virginia and Barbara. Betty attended school in Saginaw and graduated from Saginaw High in 1950. She went on to attend college at the University of Michigan, becoming a member of Collegiate Sorosis Sorority and making many lifelong friends. Betty graduated in 1954 with a BA. She would earn a master's degree from Michigan State University in 1977. Her first job was with Abrams Aerial Survey in Lansing, a job she particularly enjoyed. She went on to start her family in 1958 but eventually found herself back in the work force, this time as a teacher of young children. She taught for Saginaw Public Schools for 29 years, starting at Longstreet Elementary in 1968, before spending the rest of her career at Nelle Haley Elementary primarily teaching second grade. Teaching was a career that ideally suited her. She got so much joy out of connecting with her students.

Betty was active in the community of Saginaw. She was a member of Michigan Master Gardeners Association, Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, Woman's National Farm and Garden Association (Saginaw Branch), Saginaw County Association of Retired School Personnel and did volunteer work for many of them. She really enjoyed her groups, the friendships she formed, and the good work they did.

Betty had many interests. She was drawn to the natural world and had a great love of Northern Michigan. As a child she spent many hours up north exploring, hiking, birding, and canoeing with her father. As an adult she would continue those activities, as well as kayaking, with her children instilling in them all the wonders it had to offer. She was even fortunate enough to live in Northern Michigan in the mid 1960's and considered it a very special time in her life. Betty was always open to an adventure. Her trips out west to Arizona as a child, her adult trips to Florida, Beaver Island, Maine, skiing at Boyne, and visiting Oregon/Glacier National Park via Amtrak stood out as extra special. Betty also had a great love of animals. She was particularly fond of dogs. Her beloved golden retriever Sampson was her friend and companion for 14 years. They worked as a team with Sampson becoming a therapy dog through Therapy Dog International, something she was very proud of. Of all her interests, being a mother was the most important. She loved children and always wanted to be a mother. She believed this was her most gratifying experience. Her family dearly loved her, her gentle and kind ways, her bright smile, and her teaching about life by example. We will miss her every day.

Betty is survived by her son Frank Proulx, her daughter Elizabeth S. Proulx, her sister Barbara (Roger) Webster, several nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins. She is predeceased by two of her sons Walter Proulx and Neil Proulx, and her sister Virginia (Eugene) Slomkowski.

Funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at W. L. Case and Company Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Rd.  Rev. Ted McCulloch will officiate.  Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday at the funeral chapel from 12:00 noon until the time of the funeral service. 

Betty's family would like to thank Covenant Visiting Nurses Hospice for the caring, gentle, and comforting work they did on behalf of our mom. We are especially grateful to her nurses, Jan, Bree, Holly and her extra special bath aid Amber. Those wishing to express sympathy may consider donating to: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Alpha Kappa Delta Sorority/ Scholarships, or Saginaw County Animal Care Center.