Bette Jane Hudson's Obituary
“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” -Abraham Lincoln
Bette Jane Hudson was born on September 26, 1924, in Corktown (Detroit). She passed away peacefully on June 8, 2024, after a sudden decline in her health, surrounded by family. Bette was 99 years old.
Bette is survived by her children, Thomas (Emily) Hammang, Pamela (Dave) Brown, Edward (Cathy) Hammang, Cynthia (Stevan) Garrett, and Kelly (Francis) Soave; 13 grandchildren - Thomas (Lesrie), Ryan, Edwin, Annette, Jaclyn (John), Dana (Allan), Jennifer, Amy (Dan), Joel, Madeline, Sophia, Nicholas (Jackie) and Francesca; and 14 great grandchildren - Jamie, Avery, Aica, Luke, Noah, Abigail, Savannah, Zachary, Ava, Isabelle, Aj (Lexus), Austin, Owen and Abby. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Hudson; son, Robert Hammang, Jr.; and brother, Edward Laurant.
As is always the case, because of age, place, time, and context, each of us knew a different Bette. Regardless of our relationship with her, however, if we were each to describe the characteristics we remember most, there would be a concentration on specific words such as independent, funny, unassuming, organized, positive, faith-driven, generous, and strong in spirit. Even at the end, she found the courage to laugh as she affectionately referred to herself as “ever ready Bette” whenever something was asked of her.
Bette graduated from Southwestern High School in Detroit, where she participated in holiday plays and field days. She enjoyed careers in real estate, the restaurant industry and hospice. Although she was proud of her accomplishments, the best titles bestowed upon her were “mom” and “grandma.” Her children and grandchildren gave her strength during the tough times and laughter, love, and joy all the time. Bette made countless lifelong friends along the way, placing immeasurable value on those relationships.
Bette loved cooking, dancing, big band music, reading, champagne, and spending her winters in Florida and weekends in Port Austin. She was adventurous, always exceeding the limits of what one might expect of a 99-year-old. Her most memorable world events were World War II and the Attack on Pearl Harbor. The inventions and discoveries that awed her were the refrigerator, space travel, commercial airlines, the Polio vaccine, and amusement parks.
Private family interment services have taken place. A memorial mass for Bette will be held at St. Mary’s in St. Clair on September 26, 2024, with a celebration of her 100th birthday and her life to follow at the Voyageur. May her memory live on in the stories we tell, the laughter we share and the love we express to one another.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Friends of the St. Clair Library or the charity of your choice.
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