Ms. Betty T. Sachs

Ms. Betty T. Sachs, of Indianapolis, IN passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 – 3 months shy of 102.

Betty was born to the parents of Phillip and Sarah Sachs on September 5, 1918 In Indianapolis.  She grew up as the middle of three children on Alabama Street in the historic Herron-Place neighborhood before her parents moved in 1926 to North Meridian Street, then the outskirts of the city.  Here she resided in her family home intermittently for almost 90 years.

Betty graduated from Shortridge High School and then attended Wellesley College prior to returning home to graduate from Butler University.  She moved to New York and worked with fashion designer Hattie Carnegie and silversmith Jorge Jensen before settling in Chicago where she met her husband, Lloyd Victor. Although Lloyd died shortly after their union, Betty was blessed with a daughter.

With her young daughter in tow, she returned to Indianapolis and to her alma mater Butler University, where she earned a Master’s in Education (MS Ed).  From there, she taught elementary school within the Indianapolis public school system until retirement.

Betty was a Life Master bridge player and enjoyed participating in state and regional tournaments. In her younger days, she enjoyed worldwide travel and in her golden years crossword puzzles, watercolor and public gardens. The highlights of her summer included Starlight musical performances at Butler fieldhouse, visiting museums and August tomatoes from the Broad Ripple farmer’s market.

Respected for her lightening-like intellect, individuality and free spirit, Betty was usually able to see multiple perspectives on an issue realizing there are valid points on both sides of the fence.  Uniquely complex and loving, Betty was dedicated to humanitarian and liberal values; she accepted people from all walks of life and was the dragon enemy of pomposity, fatuousness, and hypocrisy. She marched to the beat of her own drum and was comfortable being herself completely and unapologetically.

In the final years of life, Betty was lovingly and attentively cared for by Ritha King.

Betty will remain loved and missed by surviving daughter, Janice Victor Bea (Husband – Thomas Tiburcio Bea) of Pasadena, California and four grandchildren whom she adored: Philip Bea (Minneapolis, MN), Michael Bea (Los Angeles), Alexander Bea (San Francisco) and Madeleine Bea (New York).

A memorial service will be held at a later time when her friends and family can safely come together.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Holliday Park Outdoor Children’s Garden can be made online at HollidayPark.org/Donate or mailed to the Holliday Park Foundation, 6363 Spring Mill Road, Indianapolis, IN 46260.