NORMAL - Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Finlen, 85, of Normal, formerly of Minonk, died at 8 a.m. Sunday (May 28, 2006) at Manor Care of Normal.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Minonk, with Fr. Luke Poczworoski officiating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Minonk. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Thursday at Calvert & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk.

Betty was born Oct. 23, 1920, in Rutland, a daughter of Arch and Rita Maher O'Neil. She married Charles "Bud" Finlen on Feb. 5, 1944, in Rutland. He preceded her in death on June 10, 1973.

She is survived by two sons, Jack (Sue) Finlen of Roscoe and Neil (Lynn) Finlen of Normal, and five grandchildren, Becky Finlen of Naperville, Chris Finlen of DeKalb, Stacie Finlen of Danville, and Ryan Finlen and Shawn Finlen, both of South Bend, Ind. She also is survived by her brother, Dan (Angie) O'Neil of Mendota, and her sister-in-law, Alyce O'Neil of Oak Forest.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Robert O'Neil.

She and her husband were co-owners of Bud's Royal Grocery in Minonk for more than 25 years. She also worked for GTE in Bloomington until her retirement. After her retirement, she worked at McDonald's.

She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and staff at Manor Care of Normal, who compassionately cared for her during the past six years. She was a caring and compassionate mother and grandmother. She always will be remembered for her love of life and people. The courage she displayed throughout her illness will be a source of strength for all who witnessed it.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Hospital/Stroke Research.