Betty is the subject of a chapter in my book The Women Who Made Television Funny, which celebrates the pioneering female sitcom stars of the 1950s. One of the highlights of researching and writing that book was the opportunity to have a personal interview with her. She couldn't have been more gracious about looking backwards to the days of Life with Elizabeth and Date with the Angels, and shared some great anecdotes about the early days of television.
When I sent her a copy of the published book a year or so later, she responded with a handwritten thank you note. Though she claimed to be unsure whether she belonged in the company of the book's other subjects -- Lucille Ball, Ann Sothern, Gale Storm, to name a few -- I'll bet her many fans would disagree. Her current sitcom Hot in Cleveland may be coming to an end shortly, but don't rule out this lady yet. Chances are, she'll still be the busiest nonagenarian on the block.
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