Betty Jean Doudnikoff

* Additional photos available on the Tribute Wall *

Betty Jean Doudnikoff started life among the Barrys and Ingersolls in Calhoun County, Illinois on March 21, 1937.  Her parents were Bob and Lena Barry.  She had an older brother, Jim.  When she was in the middle of high school, her parents moved to Florida for a job opportunity on Big Pine Key.  She traveled with them, but returned to Illinois and the home of her Aunt Dot and Uncle John Baumann to complete high school as part of the Hardin High class of 1955.

After graduation, a final move to Florida brought her husband Basil (Bill), who passed away in 2018, and life long best friend, Pat Nichols, into her life.  Bill’s career moved them to Pennsylvania for a short time and Maryland, where Betty grew her family and spent her remaining years.  Betty loved every addition to the family including son Greg, wife Huong Le and their sons Mike, Alex and Matt, son Tim, daughter Tanya, husband Jim Ratino and their children James, Lauren and Jack, daughter Cathy, husband Dan Jeannotte and their children Jordan and Alex as well as great-grandchildren Zayden, Jayden and Ayden (James & Ashley Ratino) and Lilly and Logan (Lauren & Ryan Kilner).

Betty spent years raising her children, dealing with son Tim’s many health issues, and supporting Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit.  Betty and Bill started the Library Store, Ltd in the early 1980s.  It became a go-to resource for D.C. area schools, businesses and books collectors.  All of Betty’s children spent time working for the family business.  Tanya managed their finances.  Tanya’s husband, Jim, was a project designer and manager.  When his health allowed it, Tim was one of their salespeople.  Betty was fortunate enough to have best friend Pat join the company as well.  While the business was smaller in its final years, it did not close entirely until Betty was in her 80s.

Betty was a person of strong political and moral beliefs.  Many years ago, she picketed the White House to protest the then-president’s behavior.  She loved the ability to connect with like-minded people on Facebook and was often kept company by her favorite news channel.

Betty loved to feed people.  Her cookbook collection is legendary.  She could never make just one dessert.  She was known to ding-dong-dash family members, leaving delicious items behind. 

Betty passed away at Casey House on October 11, 2023 after a period of declining health due to Bulbar Palsy also referred to as Bulbar ALS.  Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Olney, Maryland.  Visitation will begin at 10am followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:30am.  There will be a private interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make her brownies for someone you love (recipe below) or make a donation to Casey House - Montgomery Hospice (https://montgomeryhospice.org/donate-now/) in Betty’s memory for the wonderful work they do.

Cream:

1 cup of sugar

½ cup butter

Add:

4 eggs

1 cup of flour

1 16 oz can chocolate syrup

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 baking dish

Bake for 30 minutes at 350° F and let cool.

Frosting:

3 cups powdered sugar

½ cup melted butter

2 ¼ tablespoon Creme de Menthe

Blend and frost the cooled brownies.  Cut and serve.