CAVE, Elizabeth

Elizabeth "Betty" Cave, 68 Elizabeth Ann Cave, 68, of Saint Charles, passed away on Tuesday (April 16, 2013) at her home after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born August 20, 1944, in Saint Louis, Missouri, to Lawrence Pickett and Hellon (Roberts) Perry. She attended McKinley High School, graduating in 1962. During that time, she lived with the Blanchard family, who became close friends and mentors. On October 26, 1963, Betty married the love of her life, George "Steve" Cave, who had enlisted in the Air Force, and she was instantly an Air Force wife. They had many adventures together. They lived in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1963 - 1965, and then Betty moved in with her in-laws in Missouri while Steve was stationed in Alaska. They reunited in 1966 and moved to Chicago Illinois in 1968 where Betty was a doctor's assistant. They moved back to St. Louis in 1972.In 1974, Steve's career took them to Kansas City, Missouri. They lived in nearby Liberty, Missouri, where Betty made numerous friends, who she had for life. She was involved in the Saint James Catholic Church as a lay minister, as well as a Religious Education Instructor for sixth and seventh grades. She also participated in a bowling league, was a member of a social sorority called Beta Sigma Phi, and enjoyed volunteering at Immacolata Manor Women’s Home. Betty also worked for the Clay County Assessor as an Administrative Assistant. Betty's dream in life was to be a Mom. In 1976, Betty and Steve adopted Christopher Steven, and in 1980, they adopted Jennifer Lynn. Betty enjoyed everything about being a Mom. While in Liberty, Betty became very involved with the kids' schools, and also with everything the kids chose to do outside of school, including competition roller skating at Northland Rolladium, which is where Betty met several lifelong friends. Steve's career required them to move back to Saint Louis in 1988, and they ended up living in Saint Charles, Missouri. Betty found work in the Saint Charles County Assessor's Office as the Administrative Assistant to the County Assessor. She enjoyed her work, and loved it even more when her daughter began working nearby, so they could spend lunches and breaks together. She especially enjoyed helping the elderly taxpayers find out if they were eligible for tax breaks. She took pride in that particular duty, and often spoke of the elderly people she met and how much she felt they would benefit from the assistance. Upon her retirement in 2006, she was recognized by the County Executive, Joe Ortwerth, in a Proclamation on Retirement, as well as a Missouri State Senate Resolution offered by Senator Chuck Gross, both of which were proudly displayed in her home. She remained involved with the Assessor’s Office after leaving, often attending lunches with other retirees. In Saint Charles, Betty became involved in Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church as an Extraordinary Minister. She also remained involved in the children's school activities, and was always the proud mom ready to cheer on her "babies." Also, while in Saint Charles, Betty ended up with numerous "honorary adopted" children. Not only did the family host a foreign exchange student from Russia, Anton, and a student from Colombia, Jorge, who she always considered to be her sons, but anyone who needed an ear, who was not accepted by their parents because they were different, or who made a mistake in life, were welcome and knew they could be accepted without judgment, but only with love. Betty volunteered as an administrative assistant for the Saint Charles County Division of Emergency Management, and was recognized for Distinguished Volunteer Service in 2007. She also volunteered for Barnes Saint Peters Hospital after her retirement, and took pride in her work there. After retirement, she decided she needed more to do, she had more to offer, and she took an as-needed position with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She loved her work, and had the opportunity to travel to Iowa, Nebraska, Columbia, Missouri. Her favorite assignments were in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and New Orleans, Louisiana.Betty became involved in Christ Renews His Parish through Saint Charles Borromeo Church (CRHP) after Jennifer and her husband and children moved from Saint Charles to Fort Drum, New York. It gave her a chance to learn to accept the separation and understand who she was as a person, and how God was having a hand in her life, as well as the lives of others. She often spoke of this, and it is what helped her get through so many hard times.She loved playing computer games, collecting anything Betty Boop, reading and then sharing the "good" books with friends and family, listening to Elvis and watching his movies, going to see movies, going out with the kids, attending concerts, date nights with Steve, and meeting new friends. Steve and Betty had close friends that Steve met through his ham radio activities, and they would often spend time together going to conferences, or getting together on the weekends to have lunches and dinners. She also dreamed that one day her children would be married and she would have grandchildren. She was able to be a part of both children's weddings, and she spent so many happy times with her grandchildren. In 2012, right after returning from a trip to Disney World with close friends, Betty was diagnosed with lung cancer. She decided that even though they told her they could not cure it, she had made a promise to her daughter to support her through her husband's deployment, and she intended to see that promise through. She also spent much of her time planning the perfect wedding for her son and daughter-in-law with the help of several wonderful friends. She was so proud to see them get married in her back yard, which she helped turn into the perfect romantic setting. She sat down and made a bucket list, and immediately started trying to tick things off the list. Though she wasn't able to make it to the end of her bucket list, she provided daily inspiration to those who read her blog and her Facebook postings about her treatments. She also found time and energy to put together care packages for her son-in-law and to call her daughter on a regular basis to check in with her and to check on the grandkids. Even in the end, Betty continued giving. Betty was an organ donor. Her corneas will be used to help others. Also, she donated her body to Saint Louis University for research. Betty is preceded in death by her father, Lawrence Pickett, mother, Hellon (Roberts) Perry, stepfather, Leroy Perry, and brother-in-law, David Castleman. Betty is survived by her husband, G. Steven Cave, son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Michele (Brookshier) Cave of Saint Charles, daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Cave and Brent Schulze of Fort Drum, New York, three grandchildren, Adrian, Kamilah and Kayleigh Schulze, brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Donna Pickett, sister, Gale Castlemen, sister and brother-in-law, Pat and William Doll, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Memorial service will be on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church at 10:00am (601 N Fourth St, Saint Charles, Missouri 63301). Memorial donations can be made to: St. Charles Borromeo - Christ Renews His Parish 601 North Fourth StreetSaint Charles, Missouri 63301(This is the organization that helped her cope with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren’s relocation to New York after her son-in-law’s enlistment into the US Army. They also helped her learn to come to terms with her cancer diagnosis. They also provided support with daily activities and necessities after diagnosis). Or SSM Cancer Resource Center 400 Medical Plaza Drive, Suite 100Lake Saint Louis, MO 63367(This organization gave her hats and wigs when her hair began to fall out. She loved wearing all of the different ones, and would put on fashion shows for anyone who would watch). Betty had a request. If you smoke, at least consider quitting. If you don't smoke, don't start. Cancer sucks! Also, Betty would want you to take those lemons and continue making the sweetest lemonade you can!