Mary Elizabeth "Betty" (Duncan) McBride

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) McBride of Monmouth, IL entered Heaven’s gates on April 12, 2020 with a smile on her face and peace in her heart.  After a brave battle with cancer she passed away at home surrounded by her loving family.

Betty was born in Biggsville, Illinois to Jane (Adair) and Philip Duncan on February 5, 1934. Betty attended elementary school in Biggsville, IL and later graduated from Monmouth High School.  She attended Monmouth College, the University of Illinois, and received a B.S. from Chadron State College, NE, and a M.S. from Truman University, MO.

Betty married Jack E. McBride on July 10, 1953 in Monmouth, IL. and he passed away June 4, 2011.

She is survived by their children Jack L. McBride (Jannie) of Mexico, MO; Julie McBride of Los Angeles, CA; and Amy Basic of Warren, Ohio.  Betty has four grandsons including Dustin Rutherford, Dallas Rutherford, Josiah McBride and Jonas (Natalie) McBride. She is also survived by her two sisters Barbara (Gary) Saben of Chicago, IL and Lynn (Greg) Stokes of Bald Bluff, IL and her brother in law Jerry McBride of Littleton, CO; many nieces, nephews and special cousins.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son Josh McBride.

Betty taught first grade at Canton High School, Canton, MO for 10 years and later served as a high school Guidance Counselor. While there she was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year on two separate occasions.  In addition, the senior students chose Betty, twice, to deliver the commencement address at their graduation ceremony.  She also worked as a Women’s Guidance Counselor at Culver Stockton College, MO.  After returning to live in her hometown of Monmouth, IL, Betty was employed as a Guidance Counselor at Galesburg High School, IL for 10 years.  On her teacher evaluation Principal Barry Swanson wrote, “She is an angel in counselor’s clothing…She is a first-class lady and professional.  We are indeed fortunate and blessed to have a human being of her caliber in our midst.”

Betty served on several boards in the Monmouth community including the Monmouth Education Foundation; Buchanan For the Arts; Maple City Concert Series; Monmouth College Alumni; and the Addleman Foundation.  She was also a 50-year member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and a member of Monmouth PEO, Chapter E.

Betty was an active member of the Monmouth Faith United Presbyterian Church having served as a Trustee, Elder, and Deacon.

Betty was devoted to her family.  She was a wonderful wife to her beloved husband of 58 years; she was an extraordinary mother; and a proud grandmother.  Her family loved and cherished her dearly in life and will continue to keep her in their hearts forever.

She was extremely active in the Monmouth community throughout her life.  Betty could often be found volunteering at the Monmouth Hospital;  supporting the youth at her church including Wednesday Nite Live;  volunteering to teach elementary students to read at Monmouth elementary schools;  taking one of her delicious homemade treats to someone that was ill;  assisting anyone that needed help;   or giving away anything that she owned to someone in need.  She never asked, expected, or wanted anything in return.

Betty’s signature trait was that she made everyone she met feel special.  Her goal was to always find the good in everyone and to help them feel good about themselves.  As a result, her positive influence has changed many lives.  She has earned the respect of everyone she knew.

During her retirement Betty enjoyed traveling around the world with her husband and visiting her children and grandchildren.  She was an avid gardener and her yard was featured in the annual Monmouth Garden Walk; she enjoyed quilting, playing bridge, book club, riding her bike, morning coffee with her friends, being a good neighbor, and entertaining in her home. Betty’s love of life was obvious as she laughed much and often.

Betty’s legacy is the love and kindness that she always showed to her family, her many friends, and to her community. She spent her remarkable life working tirelessly to make the communities in which she lived a better place.  She was famous for generously lending her time, effort, wisdom, and especially her hugs, to anyone in need.  She had no interest in prestige or money, had no hidden agendas, and was the most honest person you could ever meet. Everything about her was real.  Betty was loved by her many friends and she truly loved them in return.

Betty McBride was the epitome of a beautiful woman, both inside and out.  She was small in stature but large in everything else; gentle but strong; peaceful but brave; soft-spoken but passionate.  She lived her life with grace, integrity, humility, and a quiet dignity.  She was a shining star in life and is now one in heaven.

Betty has gone Home to be with the Lord but her work on earth is not done.  She hopes that her family and friends will continue her legacy by offering their own acts of kindness to others in her memory.

A public Celebration of Betty’s life will be from 1:00-3:00 pm Friday, July 24, 2020 at Meks on Main, 201 N. Main St, Monmouth, IL. Due to COVID-19 restrictions all social distancing practices and CDC guidelines will be observed during the Celebration of Life gathering.  Memorials may be given to the Faith United Presbyterian Church, Harbor Lights Hospice or Hearts United in God’s Service, Inc (HUGS) at www.hugsforuganda.com. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Is in charge of the arrangements