Topic starter
13/01/2011 5:07 pm
Paula J. Betlem has lost her battle against cancer on January 11th. She was well known as entertainer and choreographer on the steamboats.
Here´s her obituary
Vay – Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home (click on her name on the left side)
Also long time passenger Shirley Roth from Cincinnati has passed away the same day.
Carmen
13/01/2011 6:27 pm
*RE: More sad news*
Dear Carmen & Steamboating colleagues:
Many thanks for all of you posting here on recent loses of friends, colleagues of late. Another loss is Shirley Roth, sister of Carol Roth, both devoted fans of the DELTA QUEEN, S&D of Pioneer Rivermen/MOR Chapter of S&D. No doubt a number here remember Shirley and Carol. This can't continue as I just returned from yet another funeral for a Literary Club colleague here in Cincinnati. Thanks to Katie Blackburn, MOR of S&D Secretary for E=Mailing a number of us yesterday RE: Shirley Roth. 'The winter of discontent' but 'The sun also rises.'
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.
13/01/2011 6:50 pm
Shirley Roth
Thanks Carmen for posting about Shirley. I've been unable to post since I am in Oregon and needed my password to access .org posting, and of course the password is back in Illinois. So while I quickly have access on my own laptop at a restaurant, here is a photo of the Roth sisters at their favorite spot on the SPIRIT OF PEORIA. They were part of the Rambling River Rats group on both of our SoP trips.
13/01/2011 11:24 pm
I had thought surely with numbers like 1/11/11, we would get some most hoped for news about who might be the new owner of the DELTA QUEEN. Unfortunately it was all sad news with the passing of Paula, who was such a talented entertainer on the DELTA QUEEN and our good friend Shirley Roth. Both will be greatly missed by their many friends.
14/01/2011 7:20 pm
I just returned from Shirley's funeral. It was good to see the steamboat community so well represented there--Shirley was well-loved. The minister spoke often during the eulogy of Shirley's love of the boats, ending with an image of Shirley heading for heaven on a riverboat. Shirley made 29 rides on the Delta Queen, and more than 50 total on riverboats, so it is a fitting image--and was well-appreciated. I was thinking of Paula during this funeral, and regretting that I couldn't be there for her. We'll miss you both, dear ladies!
15/01/2011 1:38 pm
*RE: Shirley Jean Roth*
Dear Steamboating colleagues:
Thanks to both Judy and Mary for the postings and photo here of Shirley Jean Roth. Shirley's service, as Mary mentioned, was a reflection of Shirley's life. The steamboat community present: Mary Charlton, Gayle/Bill Hindman, Barb Hameister, Vic Canfield and me. Appropriate music selections on that beautiful organ included 'Nearer, My God, to Thee,' 'Shall We Gather At the River.' The congregation attending extensive. Shirley and sister Carol and I go way back to high school days in the late 1950s here in Cincinnati. The winter sun bright on the snow as we departed providing a much-needed uplift. This one dismal week with national tragedies, illness, death with two funerals in two days a bit exhausting. 'When Morning Gilds the Skies.'
R. Dale Flick
Coal Haven Landing, Ohio River, Cincinnati.