Betty Dell Benassi Updike

Frankfort – Betty Dell Benassi Updike, age 87, passed away Friday, December 30, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Father John Lijana officiating. Burial will follow at Frankfort Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Betty, affectionately known as “Meemaw,” was born in Frankfort, Kentucky on May 3, 1935. She graduated from Good Shepherd High School and was a lifelong member of Good Shepherd Church. She retired from the Legislative Research Commission and had many cherished, lasting friendships through LRC. She also spent some time working at the family Italian Restaurant, Putt’s. Betty was very proud of her Italian heritage. Betty was an outgoing and cheerful person by nature – she was always smiling. She was an avid gardener which is evidenced by the lovely flowers in her yard. Betty was a fierce tennis player back in the day. She was a city tennis champion in the early 50s. She loved going to Keeneland, especially with her son, David, and daughter-in-law, Marta. Betty was very active and thrived when hanging out with her family and friends. She loved going to visit her daughter, Donna, in Akron and going to visit her son, Dawson in Nashville. Betty and her daughter, Dianna, could always be seen going up and down Versailles Road on their way to the Fayette Mall. Betty was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed going to Bel-terra with her partners in crime, Ann, Pat, and Brenda. Betty and John Updike, Jr., were married in 1955. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Constantine and Cleofe Benassi; husband, John; grandson, Linden Rogers; brothers, Geno and Carmello Benassi. She is survived by her children, Dianna Rogers, Donna Kikel (Jeff), David Updike (Marta), and Dawson E. Updike (Vicki); grandchildren, Jennifer Rogers (Russell), Jeffrey Kikel (Jane), Lizzi Kikel, Dawson C. Updike, and Cooper Matheson; sister, Connie Largen (Harry); sister-in-law, Mary Gaines; and by many cherished nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Betty’s caregivers, Aundrea Owens, Debbi Pike, and Lois Larson, for the compassion and care shown to her in her last months. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Betty’s memory to Capital City Activity Center, 202 Medical Heights Drive, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, or Bluegrass Care Navigators, 643 Teton Trail, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, or to any charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.

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Betty Dell Benassi Updike

May 3, 1935 - December 30, 2022