Elizabeth "Betty" Gertrude Sulzbach Sposato passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2015. Born in Tulsa on March 26, 1920, to Nora and Frederick Sulzbach, Betty attended Marquette Catholic School and graduated from Central High School in 1938. While attending nursing school at St. John Hospital, Betty met her one and only love, Vincent James Sposato. Married for 64 years, Betty and Vincent raised 12 children. Over time, their family grew exponentially to include 44 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Whether it was for her beloved parish, her children's schools, Catholic Charities, the Italian-American Society of Tulsa, Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts of America, or little league baseball, Betty donated her time and many talents to promoting Christ's mission of serving selflessly to others in all areas of her life. As an active member of Altar Guild Society, she hosted many sewing circles in her home to make vestments for priests to wear during services, and also served as President of Christ the King Women's Club.

The greatest highlights of Betty's life were, of course, the successes of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In 1995, she was recognized by the Tulsa World as "Mother of the Year". Upon learning this, Governor Frank Keating declared her to be "Oklahoma's Mother of the Year" and named May 15, 1995, as "Betty Sposato Day". In 2014, Christ the King honored their lifelong member by inducting her into its Hall of Fame.

Betty was pre-deceased by her husband Vincent, her two sons, Tony and Michael, and brothers Fred and Jake Sulzbach. She is survived by sister Katherine Sulzbach Mills, and her children: Richard Sposato (Beth), Jim Sposato (Helen), Betty Jeanne Muratet (Rick), Mary Anne Potter (Donald), Nancy Sposato, Donna Cannon (Gary), Tina Messick, Angie Wagstaff (Jerry), Stephanie Garrett (Robert), Joe Sposato (Cathy).

Her family remembers how she promoted faith, family, country, education, and the arts and humanities. As with everything in her exemplary life, she reinforced these values by exposing her children to servitude and an appreciation for nature and history. Mom, thank you for showing us how to live...to serve God, to love our country, to promote education, and, ultimately, how to be family.

In lieu of flowers, gifts to honor Betty Sposato's passion for education and for support of life from conception to natural death, may be made to: Friends of Catholic Education (1127 E. 33rd Pl., Tulsa OK 74105) or Madonna House (c/o Catholic Charities, Mission Advancement Office, PO Box 580460, Tulsa OK 74158).

Rosary will be Friday, 7 PM, and Funeral Mass will be Saturday, 10 AM, both at Christ the King Church, Tulsa. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151