Ken, our deepest regards and sympathy to you and your family on the loss of
Betty Jean.  It has been a while since I heard her enthusiastic, smiling
voice but I have such a clear picture in my my mind of her face and the
always bubbly, happy demeanor she showed the world.  She was a wonderful
house guest when she came to visit us here in Cape May, to give lively slide
show programs of her shelling adventures to The Jersey Cape Shell Club.
She will always be remembered as a very kind and loving person and for her
passion and knowledge of Ranellids and world travel.   Thank you for sharing
the poem with us.

Sue Hobbs
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2010 5:36 PM
Subject: [CONCH-L] Betty Jean Piech, 09-21-1919 to 10-31-2010


> Early last week Betty Jean Piech passed away peacefully after a long
> illness.  Some of you knew her as Betty Jean, BJ or the “Tall One”,
> but I knew her as mom.  Betty Jean Stowell was born and grew up in New
> Brunswick, NJ, graduated from Douglass Woman’s College (Rutgers) and
> married Frank Piech in 1947.  They moved to Wilmington, DE and had
> three sons.  When her children were young Betty Jean was a homemaker.
> Later, Betty Jean went back to school, became a librarian, and worked
> for many years before she retired.
>
> In 1961 Frank & Betty Jean took their young family to Florida for a
> vacation.  We took the ferry over to Sanibel Island and began an
> enduring interest in marine shell collecting. Every summer in the
> 1960’s our family returned to Sanibel for vacation.  In the 1970’s
> Betty Jean became involved in the newly built Delaware Museum of
> Natural History and the Wilmington Shell Club, being its president
> several times.  She began taking shell collecting trips to the Bahamas,
> Mexico and beyond.  In the 1980’s and 1990’s she became even more
> involved in shell collecting with more shell collecting trips to many
> distant countries, including the Philippine Islands, Australia,
> Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Africa and South America.
> Betty Jean also became involved in COA and gave a number of
> well-received talks at the national meetings.  In 1992 Dr. William
> Emerson and Betty Jean Piech collaborated on describing a new Distorsio
> from the Panamic region, Distorsio jenniernestae, Emerson & Piech,
> 1992, http://*.gastropods.com/3/Shell_5543.shtml .  Her favorite shell
> family was the Ranellidae.
>
> Along with Frank, Betty Jean imparted a love of science and nature to
> her sons.  Her enthusiasm for shell collecting and traveling was
> contagious.  Her many stories were entertaining, educational and
> sometimes earthy.  My wife, Alice and I had the privilege of going on
> many shell collecting trips with our mother and getting to know her as
> another adult.  In addition to teaching us much about shell collecting,
> she also encouraged our children, her grandchildren, to enjoy the
> hobby.  We spent many weeks together walking on the beaches of Sanibel
> Island and snorkeling in the Florida Keys.
>
> Although many knew and loved Betty Jean, her three sons and their
> families will miss her the most.  At mom’s request, there will be no
> funeral.  A brief memorial service will be held at the Cokesbury
> Village in Hockessin, DE at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 13.
>
> About 15 years ago mom gave us a sealed envelope to be opened only
> after her death.  It contained this poem, which was probably intended
> for many of you.
>
>
> THOUGHTS FROM A SHELL COLLECTOR TO HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS
>
> I love a beach where seabirds cry,
> Where the shining water meets the sky.
> Where one can look for shells and things,
> And gather the gifts that each tide brings.
>
> I like to walk upon the sand,
> Between the ocean and the land.
> To breathe the wonderful salty air,
> And feel the breeze blow through my hair.
>
> I enjoy the pleasure these things bring,
> They calm my mind and make my heart sing.
> And even when I can’t be there,
> I always remember what the beach had to share.
>
> And if you happen to see a shell,
> I hope this thought you’ll remember well.
> As I have prized each beautiful treasure,
> So I value my family and friends in even greater measure.
>
> And when the times comes I’m no longer here,
> Do not think I have left you, never fear.
> Just picture me happy on some distant shore
> Picking up lovely things just as before.
>
> For I will not have died, nor will I sleep;
> I will see you again, so please do not weep,
> I’ll just continue happy in His peace and care
> Until the time comes when you join me there.
>
> I love each and every one of you.
>
> Betty Jean Piech
> September 3, 1995
>
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