Bette Ann (Mullaney) Savage of Batesville, IN passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, at St. Andrew’s Health Campus in Batesville, IN. She was born on July 31, 1940, in Cincinnati, OH to John and Agnes (Baundistel) Mullaney. She married Timothy James Savage on November 21, 1964, at St. Mary Church – Hyde Park, Cincinnati. She is survived by her husband Timothy; sons John Mullaney (Pam) Savage of Cincinnati, Timothy William (Rhonda) Savage of Batesville, and Michael Patrick (Jen) Savage of Cincinnati; grandchildren Nicholas Patrick Savage of Portland, Oregon, Margaret Mullaney Savage of Cincinnati, Anne Katherine Savage of Cincinnati, Leila Eileen Savage of Batesville, and Allie Maureen Savage of Batesville. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Jack Mullaney.
She graduated from St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati in 1958, maintaining strong relationships with the school and her classmates throughout her life. After her marriage to Tim, she settled in Cincinnati and welcomed sons John and Tim. In 1969 she and her family moved to Batesville and soon after, her youngest son Mike was born. She spent the remainder of her life in the Batesville community, working for several decades at St. Louis School – first as a remedial reading teacher and later as school secretary. It was at St. Louis School where Bette was known as a friend and confidante to many. She always enjoyed running into former students in and around town, bringing back happy memories and sharing stories. In addition to her career in education, Bette served as President of the St. Louis School PTA and Cub Scout den leader. After moving into their Chateau Blvd. home, impromptu garage bartender became her next avocation. All of these careers were secondary to her primary role as manager of the house and family chauffeur though.
Annual vacations to Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head and Panama City were always highlights, as was her trip with her husband to Ireland to see their ancestral homeland. After retiring, Bette was able to focus on her passions for sewing, crocheting, gardening, tanning and reading the latest Danielle Steele page-turner. But she saved most of her attention in retirement for her five grandchildren, whom she adored, and vice versa. Treasured memories include spending time watching movies, playing games, picking up from St. Louis School and decorating the house for the holidays.
Although her mobility was challenged in her final years, Bette always found a way to keep in touch with family and friends, becoming (relatively) adept at FaceTime and HouseParty. She was also appreciative of all the nurses, aides and other caregivers at St. Andrew’s that took care of “The Princess,” as they endearingly referred to her. Everyone at St. Andrews knew Bette where, again, she became a friend and confidante to many. Bette was so grateful for the TLC and especially enjoyed when they spent an extra minute or two in her room, so they could share quick stories or crack a joke over her daily (prescribed) glass of chardonnay. Many thanks also to family physician John Gryspeerdt, who always took Bette’s best interests to heart.
Visitation will be inside St. Louis Church in Batesville on Saturday, May 11th from 10:00am to 11:00am. For those interested in attending, there will be a Mass of Christian Burial taking place immediately following in the church. For those unable to attend, please raise a glass at 4:00 pm on Saturday to toast a life well lived. Burial will take place at a date to be determined at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati with private family graveside services. Memorials may be made to St. Louis School. For online condolences go to www.weigelfh.com