Betty Jean Bolander

Betty Bolander was born into a musical family in Lapeer, Michigan. She started piano lessons at age 4 (most often playing piano while her brothers and sister did the farm chores), and toured Michigan with a dance band at age 16. Her formal schooling included a BA in music and psychology from Michigan State (where she played French horn to earn tuition), an MA in recreational administration from U. of Minnesota, and graduate work in children’s theater and music from Denver U. In spite of all the schooling which created vocational opportunities, the real framework for Betty’s life was her music.


Her work activities included director of special programs for YWCAs, USO club director in Vietnam, student center program director at Texas A & M, assistant to President Bertrand’s family at Berry College, administrator at Georgia State, teacher and DFACS caseworker in Cobb County, GA, and director of music for the Decatur Presbyterian Kindergarten at Decatur Presbyterian Church.


Betty’s enthusiasm for other people and learning about their cultures led her to every corner of our world-from Europe and Scandinavia to Russia, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand, and to Jerusalem, the Middle East, and Africa as well. When the AMIS Atlanta Ministry with International Students, Inc. started in March 1978, Betty began to fall in love with international students and scholars from around the world. Each year at the AMIS lunch at Central Presbyterian Church. Betty handed out Christmas sheets and 30 to 40 international students sang along with all the songs.


After Betty made Atlanta her home in 1977, she played regular singalongs at the Churchill Arms British Pub in Buckhead for 20 years. On her 10th anniversary there, Mayor Andrew Young proclaimed October 23, 1987, “Ms. Betty Bolander Day” saying she had touched the lives of thousands of Atlantans of all ages, from all walks of life, with her music and ability to make them happy with her warm personality. Betty also entertained on Tuesday nights for many years at Pittypat’s Porch.


On April 30, 2015, Betty was one of ten people given an 11-Who-Care Community Service Award in Atlanta along with an 11th person, The Honorable John Lewis, who was one of Betty’s models for service and caring for other people. The Central Outreach and Advocacy Center nominated her for this award in honor of her longtime, enthusiastic work as a volunteer helping primarily homeless clients, traveling there weekly until her loss of eyesight made it impossible for her to continue.


In October, 2014, Betty moved to Clairmont Place in Decatur, where she regularly led singalongs after dinner and volunteered for special programs. She was an avid fan of theater and musical performances until the COVID pandemic halted these activities.


Though Betty never became a member of Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, she worshipped there from the late 1970s onwards. There she was one of the "peace group" who gathered their signs (stored in the Taylor Conference Room closet!) every Sunday and stood on the street corner during lunchtime until the Coronavirus shut things down. They started on MLK Sunday 2003 when they hoped the US would not invade Iraq. The signs have variations on "Honk if you love peace." Even though Betty was legally blind, she was still an incredible pianist and could play something like 200-300 songs simply by memory and improvisation. From now on Betty will be playing those songs in the midst of the harps and singing in the heavens. May eternal joy and peace be with her there.

Betty was predeceased by her father and mother, Clarence and Sophie Bolander; Clarence’s second wife, Virginia; brothers Ron, Harry and David; sister Pat; and great niece Brittany (Britbird). Betty is survived by six nieces and nephews; 11 great nieces and nephews; and 10 great, great nieces and nephews, and Virginia’s grand daughters Pam Siivola and Kathy Ruhlman. Many of us remember Betty’s favorite mantra, “I just hate to stay home on Saturday night.” Betty left a mark on all her relatives and friends.


On Veterans Day, November 11, 2021, there will be a Memorial/Burial Service for Betty Bolander at 11:00 am in the sanctuary at Central Presbyterian Church, 201 Washington St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. After the service in the sanctuary, all will be invited to walk to the Central Memorial Garden for the inurnment of her cremains. Then there will be a “Celebrate Betty” event on this same day 2:00-4:00 pm in the Great Hall at Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta, GA 30345. There is a large, free, parking lot at Shallowford PC. The Great Hall is a large, well-ventilated space for a significant group of people. All food and drink will be in individual containers (no open dishes or common punch bowl). It is requested that only vaccinated people attend. Facemasks will be required at both events.