Betty E. Herman

A Memorial Mass for Betty E. Herman, 97, of Lake Zurich, will be said on Friday, September 15, 2023, at 10:00 AM at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 33 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich. There will be a Visitation immediately preceding the Funeral Mass from 9:15 to 10:00 AM in the church vestibule. The Interment will be held privately.

Betty Elaine Tunks – Napoli – Herman was a successful and loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and wife. She was a graduate of John Marshall H.S. in Chicago (1944) and took various business and accounting classes at Harold Washington College in the early 1980’s. She worked in public and private sectors in business holding various support positions at the I.R.S., City of Chicago Department of Public Works, Catholic Charities, Dominick’s, K-Mart and Wal-Mart. Additionally, she often served as a polling judge both in the city and suburbs. Betty was an avid church goer and participant in church ceremonies (ringing the church benediction bell) and other activities. She was steadfast in her faith and her relationship with God, which we are sure, was a place of comfort to her in her final days. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and all who came to know her. Betty was petite in stature but mighty in her nature. Always putting family and friends first, she was known for always willing to lend a hand and never showing up anywhere without a baked good or care package. Her care packages were something to be marveled as they would contain the basics like batteries, band-aids or stamps, but surprisingly there would always be an item in there that she didn’t know you needed but you did. (Examples: oil to fix a furnace motor, a can of shaving cream when you just ran out, or that tiny bedside lamp you just couldn’t find but somehow, she did at a thrift store). You never told her you needed these items; she just knew. Betty was sassy and not afraid to let her opinions be known, but additionally, she was an amazing listener and always there to give advice. Her granddaughters have many memories of late nights and long phone calls just chatting about life in general. She always had a way to make one feel better with her words. Betty loved many things: She loved both cats and dogs greatly and would always enjoy hearing stories concerning the family’s pets.

She was a fitness buff who loved taking long walks and bicycling. She loved to cook and bake. Her specialties were old fashioned authentic spaghetti and meatballs and pineapple-upside-down cake. She loved all the American classic movies such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (her favorite), the classic character Betty Boop, and the more modern movie “Wonder-Woman”.

She loved Rock Music, taking her grandkids to the park or shopping mall, spending as much time as she could with her loved ones, playing cards (especially Rummy or Solitaire), and her crossword puzzles.

Betty is survived by her children (and spouses): Frederick (Cecilia) Napoli and Max (Mary) Herman. Grandchildren: Cyndi (Jeff) Boesche, Sandra Herman and Jennie (Mike) Adams. Great grandchildren: Trevor and Abigail Boesche, and Weston and Alayna Adams.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Benjamin Napoli; second husband, Maximilian Herman; and her daughter, Frances J. Napoli.