Elizabeth “Betty” D. Nearing

Elizabeth “Betty” Darling Nearing, 86, long time resident of Cape Coral, FL formerly of Pittsburgh, PA and Birmingham, AL, passed away on Friday December 30, 2016. She was born on January 21, 1930 in Providence, RI where she spent her childhood.

Betty graduated from the Bryant Business University and was an accomplished business woman. She held many positions of responsibility over the years, including President of the local Toast Mistresses in Pittsburgh.

Betty met and married the love of her life, Harvey F Nearing, while living in Pittsburgh. They moved to Cape Coral and enjoyed 30 years together.

In recent years, Betty gave her time, energy and expertise to volunteering. Until her recent illness, she was an active volunteer at Gulf Coast Hospital, Northwest Regional Library and the local chapter of Al-Anon.

After her husband’s passing, she decided to revisit a childhood love of writing. Betty took a number of online writing classes and joined several writing groups. She wrote essays and short stories; three of which were published in a series of anthologies. Betty wrote two novels “The Island House” and “Hang the Witch”, which she self-published. “Hang the Witch” was a fictional writing based on the life of a maternal ancestor.

Betty was very computer literate. In the course of her online classes and Facebook wanderings, she made countless friends, some she regretfully never met in person. Betty was a woman for all age groups. Following her passing, one only needed to read the Facebook postings to see how she was regarded by her family and friends.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Charles; her beloved husband Harvey;as well asher three sons, Robert Clifton, Roy, and Charles (Gail) Chapman. She is survived by daughters Judi Holleran (Tom), JoAnne Brady (Keith), son David Nearing and adoring niece, Eileen Greene (Lamar). She leaves many grandchildren, great-grand children, nieces, nephews, daughters-in-law and many beloved friends.

A Celebration of Elizabeth’s Life will be held 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the home of Paul and Sue Vogel, 1540 Orchid Rd., North Ft. Myers, FL 33903.(Just East of B.J.’s Wholesale and off of Pine Island Rd. a/k/a State Road 78) A Spiritual Service will be held at 2:00 PM followed by stories from family and friends.

Memorial contributions for Betty Darling Nearing are suggested to the Leukemia Society or the Salvation Army, two of her favorite charities.

Friends are invited to send condolences via the on-line guest book which can be found at www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.