Bettie Miller Cederquist, 88, matriarch who devoted her life to nurturing family

Bettie Miller Cederquist
Bettie Miller Cederquist

Bettie Miller Cederquist, 88, passed away after a brief illness while surrounded by her closest family Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Virginia Beach. Born on June 24, 1931, in Kansas City, Kansas, Bettie was the daughter of Clarence and Ida Kathleen Parks Miller. Bettie was preceded in death by her infant son, Michael David Cederquist; and husband, David V. Cederquist of Norfolk.

As a young adult, she worked in various secretarial roles, including positions at the Pentagon and Tidewater Academy. Bettie also worked to help put David through school at the University of Virginia, and often spoke of many happy days in Charlottesville.

Once her children were born, however, Bettie became a homemaker and worked tirelessly to raise her children in a nurturing and warm family atmosphere. She was the patcher of scraped knees and hurt feelings, and she was the glue that held everyone together. In later years, as David developed Alzheimer’s dementia, Bettie was at his side, supporting him and providing care for several years until his death in 2014.

Bettie was an avid reader, with a special love for history, and enjoyed meeting with her book club over the last 10 years. She had a special flare for finance and avidly followed the stock market. Shy but outgoing, she was an adventurer at heart. After David’s retirement, they traveled together to the American West, Egypt and Jordan.

Her family and friends will remember Bettie as a warm and compassionate woman who always had a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. She always, throughout her life, put other people first and was a loyal and devoted friend.

Her survivors include her daughter, Kristen C. Bushing; son-in-law, Mark; granddaughter, Kaitlyn (Katie), and her son, Jon A. Cederquist; daughter-in-law, Aprille; and grandchildren, William and Alyce. Her grandkids meant the world to her, and she was fiercely proud and supportive of them. She was aunt to several nephews and nieces, but was especially close to nephew, Randall (Randy) Langston, and his wife, Bobbi, and their daughter, Melanie, and her husband, Jarad.

Her family is grateful for the friends she had at Westminster-Canterbury, especially her longtime friends, Bob and Charlotte Harrell, and extends heartfelt thanks to the staff who took such good care of her.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Holy Trinity Chapel at Westminster-Canterbury, Virginia Beach, with a reception following at the church.



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