Betty S. Durocher

Mrs. Elizabeth Mae (Betty) Schattgen DuRocher, age 80, of Biloxi, MS., died Wednesday, December 27, 2006, in Ocean Springs. Mrs. DuRocher was a native of Illinois and was a longtime resident of Jackson County. She was a member of the Church of Christ Scientist, Boston, MA and the Heritage Methodist Church in North Biloxi. She attended the Convent of Mercy in Biloxi as a private student, received her secretarial training at the Convent of Mercy in Biloxi, completing her course with honors. She continued her education on campus and by correspondence throughout her 42 year civil service career. She started to work at the Veterans Administration in Biloxi in June, 1945, and retired from Keesler AFB, MS., in July 1987 as executive secretary to the Base Commander. She was selected as the 1977 Outstanding Career Woman for Keesler. Her retirement from Keesler recognized her many achievements; she received the Department of AF Outstanding Career Service Award, the third such time that this award was presented to a civilian since the formation of Keesler. She was also given the ATC Civilian Commendation Award upon her retirement, as well as a letter of congratulations from President Ronald Reagan. Long interested in writing she submitted news articles to the Mississippi Press Register, the Ocean Springs Record and such publications as the National Business Woman. She was elected to a state office in the Mississippi Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (MFBPWC). She helped organize coast BPW Clubs and served as president of the Lighthouse BPW Club, Biloxi BPW Club, and the Lemoyne BPW Club. She organized and served as charter president of the Shearwater Toastmistress Club. She was active in the Ocean Springs National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Club and was a strong supporter of the coast YMCA activities. Mrs. DuRocher was preceded in death by her parents, Harry A. and Alice Adams Schattgen. Survivors include her son, Robert J. (Bob) DuRocher, brother and sister-in-law William (Bill) and Del Schattgen of Pascagoula and their children, Albert and Arla Schattgen of Tampa, FL., and Mike and Sharilyn Schattgen of Pascagoula, MS., granddaughter, Jennifer McGuire of Ocean Springs, and nieces, Missy Schattgen of Plant City, FL and Stacey and Ashley Schattgen of Pascagoula. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, from 12 Noon - 1 PM, with a 1 PM chapel service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Southern Memorial Park.