Elizabeth June Foley

Elizabeth J. Foley April 2, 1922 - March 28, 2016 Formerly known as Bettie Cimini, she was born on Boston Blvd. in Detroit, with four siblings, and four half-siblings. Her father, George Cimini, was an immigrant from Opi, Italy who owned a chain of pharmacies in Detroit. Her mother, Jeannette Wagner, was from the coal fields in Pennsylvania. Her husband, Daniel R. Foley Jr., was chief of the Accounting Department at the Federal Reserve Bank, and her father-in-law, Daniel R. Foley Sr., helped found the Irish-American Autoworker's Union, and was the Chief Prosecuting Attorney for several counties in the state, and the Assistant Chief in Wayne County for many years. Before that the family lived for three generations in the city of Deerfield, Mi. She took the name Elizabeth when she retired after her mother-in-law, Elisabeth Reilly Foley, who was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention during FDR's presidency, was active with Dorothy Day in the Catholic Worker Movement, and helped establish the Vincent DePaul Society in Detroit. The family moved to Royal Oak, Mi. in 1958 where she worked for Oakland County, starting in the Dog Licensing Dept. until she became the smiling face people saw when it was time for them to pay their fines. In 1975, they bought property in an apple orchard in Crystal Highlands, above Crystal Lake in Benzie County, and built their dream house in the shape of a barn. Following the death of her husband, she retired there in 1986 where she was known for her many charitable activities in the region, and sang in the choir of St. Ann's Church in Frankfort, Mi. and was named Volunteer of the Year by the Gleaners. Her motto was: "give me the job nobody else wants." She continued these activities well into her 80's, and only stopped due to declining health. Formerly a singer, auditioning with the Fred Warring and the Pennsylvanians, she choose instead to marry and have a family. She was especially fond on show tunes and Frank Sinatra, and was known to break out on in song with little provocation, including favorites "Life is just a bowl of cherries, don't take it serious, it's too delirious," and "The Conchita Banana Song:" I'm Conchita Banana and I'm here to say Eat a banana every day Eat the banana and it makes you feel good, But don't forget, Never Put Your Banana in the Refrigerator Elizabeth was the beloved wife of the late Daniel; loving mother of Daniel Roch Foley, Catherine (Frank) Kroll, Tracey Kelly, Beth (Greg) Maurer and Chris (Janis) Foley; proud grandmother of Steve (Anne) Hamlin, Amanda (Dave) Raimondo, Tara Lisa Foley, Brian (Meredith) Maurer, Allison Maurer, Shaylen, Eliza and Natasha Foley; great grandmother of Kyle and Keylie Hamlin, Ava and Beckett Maurer, Celia and Giovonni Raimondo; and dear sister of Barb Harris and the late Howard Cimini and Virginia Beals. Also preceded in death by daughter-in-law Joan Foley and son-in-law Daniel Kelly. In addition to her five children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, she had many friends during the course of her lifetime and was beloved by them. Visitation Friday 2-8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service at the Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Road (4 blocks E. of Woodward), Royal Oak. A private committal service will take place at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery, Troy on Saturday, Elizabeth's 94th birthday. Memorials to St. Ann Catholic Church, 508 Crystal Ave. Frankfort, MI 49635, or a charity of your choice are appreciated. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com .