Betty Zacate (Jan. 13, 1944 – Feb. 3, 2022)

 

Betty Ellen Burns (78) was born and raised in Rockford, IL. After graduating from Rockford West H.S. (’62), she attended Northern Illinois University on a full academic scholarship. There she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1966 and met her husband of 57 years Michael Zacate (Rockford West H.S. ’58).

After marrying June 6, 1965, the couple settled in Chicago, IL. Betty completed student teaching in the fall of 1965 then became a substitute teacher in Chicago Public Schools, Evergreen Park H.S. and Oak Lawn H.S. before getting a full-time position at Oak Lawn High School. The couple moved to Mokena, IL in 1968 and started a family a year later. Betty stopped teaching to be a stay-at-home wife and mother to first-born Matthew who was followed 4½ years later by Betsy.

Betty did not stay out of the classroom long. She taught night classes in macrame before taking night classes herself. She earned a master’s degree in art history at Governor’s State University and taught as an adjunct instructor of Art History at Joliet Junior College from 1988 through the spring of 2021.

Betty shared her creative talents outside of the classroom. She taught macrame to adults in various art shops and night school at Evergreen Park H.S. She sold her macrame pieces at art fairs. Several pieces of her artwork received awards in juried art exhibits in both painting and mixed media categories. Over the years, numerous poems by her were published in Word Eater, a Joliet Junior College publication. Betty helped found a union at JJC (Joliet United Adjuncts Coalition. IEA-NEA) in which she served as membership secretary, delegate to IEA Region 51, and an Illinois representative to several annual NEA Representative Assemblies.

Betty was a multi-time cancer destroyer. Her first cancer surfaced in 1980. It was her seventh battle with cancer that eventually caused her passing. This battle began seven years ago with treatment for a rare and aggressive form of uterine cancer. She remained cancer- free for five years, generally considered the milestone for having beaten the disease. However, in year six it was discovered the cancer had metastasized in her lung. After successful treatment once again, five months later the cancer was discovered to have metastasized in several places in her brain. Believed to have been killed with radiation, subsequent examination revealed the larger one was still active and to which Betty succumbed a little over a month later without apparent pain. Betty inspired other people going through cancer treatments to keep up the fight. She was surprised to learn this, but proud to know her own journey inspired others.

The devotion and care Michael showed Betty in the last year of her life was extraordinary, and she returned the affection to him. She was often concerned about wearing him out (in treatment for leukemia) and wanted to make sure he knew how much she appreciated him. Her ravaged brain did not allow her to write the many thank-you cards she intended to send to health care providers and others who showed her kindness along the way. Please know, many of you reading this were highly thought of by Betty.

The Zacate family was given enough time to come together to celebrate one more Thanksgiving, one more Christmas, and Betty’s 78th birthday on January 13th. The family is especially grateful for this blessing. Comfortable in her home, warm and safe in bed, Betty released her last breath as the outside world was being blanketed in fresh snow.

Betty is survived by her husband Michael Zacate, children Matthew and Betsy Zacate as well as grandson Samson Zacate, her younger brother Jim Burns and his son, often called Jimmy, of Rockford, IL. Her parents and younger sister, Donna, preceded her in death.

Betty Zacate Obituary