Betty Ladd Andre

Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Ladd Andre, 98, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 20, at the Greenhouse Homes of Porter Hills. She is survived by her son and his wife, Jamie and Penny Ladd, her daughter, Pattie Ladd, and her stepson, Russ Andre, all of Grand Rapids. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Everett L. Ladd, and her second husband, Dr. Harvey Andre.  Born in 1918 in Detroit, Betty lived a long and productive life and was widely admired as an accomplished business woman and community activist. She and Everett Ladd built affordable housing in the Grand Rapids area, starting in the 1950s. E. L. Ladd and Company was known for its quality construction and concern for the impact of development on the environment.  In 1975, Betty was named Woman of the Year for the midwest by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). She was on the Board of Directors of Dwelling Place and served on the Emeritus Board of Aquinas College. She helped design low-income housing for elders through Porter Hills, was active with Camp Blodgett for Children, and served on various committees of St. Mark’s Church.

A celebration of Betty’s life will take place at St. Mark’s Church at 4:30pm, Thursday, September 8, 2016. Burial will follow on Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in her name to the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus, Dwelling Place, and the Grand Rapids Symphony.

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