Betty Buete

Evelyn Elizabeth “Betty” Buete passed away peacefully on March 24 at Arbor Terrace, her assisted living facility in Lanham, MD, from complications of diabetes. Beloved by everyone who ever knew her, she will live forever in the memories of her large, loving family and many dear friends.

Born April 18, 1940, Betty Bredekamp Watkins Buete grew up in Landover Hills and lived in Cheverly, MD for more than 50 years. She is survived by her sister, Irene Furmage, brother, Joe Bredekamp and sister-in-law, Susie Bredekamp, who could not possibly have loved her more. Betty was the best mother one could ever hope for to her three sons, Jeffrey, Michael (Mary), and David (Susan) Watkins. The greatest joy of her life was being MomMom to her seven incredibly talented and wonderful grandchildren who adored her — Alexis, Joe (Julianna), Michael, Lauren, Garrett, and Tanner Watkins, and Olivia Howe (Harry). Betty was so good that the Lord blessed her with a darling great-granddaughter, Evie, whose daddy and mommy, Joe and Julianna, named her after MomMom. Betty was also a beloved aunt to her niece and nephew, Marlana Spurr and George Furmage IV, and their children and grandchildren, Shawn and Katelyn Spurr, and Julia, Erica, and George Furmage V, and great-greats Ella, Asher, Ian, and Evan. She is predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Ronnie Buete, and her parents, Ethel and Joe Bredekamp, Sr.

In 1963, Betty graduated from Franklin Square Hospital School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD with a 3-year degree in Theory and Practice of Nursing. Despite the challenges of being a single mom, Betty was the Nursing Supervisor at Leland Memorial Hospital for decades. With her calm, caring, and patient personality, Betty was simply born to be a nurse. While at Leland she met Elaine, Donna, and Mary who became her lifelong best friends.

Betty’s heart and home were always open to everyone. She especially enjoyed the times spent at her second home in Choptank on the Eastern Shore of MD, where she celebrated family reunions, crab feasts, life on the water, her garden, feeding the birds, and all her wonderful neighbors.

A celebration of Betty’s life will take place on Saturday, March 29 at Gasch’s Funeral Home in Hyattsville, MD. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am followed by the service at 12:00 pm.­­­

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Arbor Terrace Lanham, 9885 Greenbelt Road, Lanham, MD 20706, Attn: Louise Griffin.