Betty, 88, of East Lansing, an innovator in early childhood education whose adventurous spirit and ability to cultivate the best in people helped overturn conventional teaching methods and foster the growth of nurturing environments for children, died, leaving behind the many parents, children and educators touched by her life.

Born the 11th of 12 children, Betty chose her career path prior to graduating from Ypsilanti's Lincoln Consolidated High School in 1939. She earned a bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University, a master's in early childhood education from the University of Michigan, continued advanced studies at the prestigious Merrill-Palmer Institute, and taught at the University of Illinois before arriving at MSU in 1949, first as a teacher, then director of the Spartan Nursery School, one of the earliest parent cooperative preschools in the country.

Betty retired from the faculty of MSU's Department of Family and Child Ecology in 1984. She brought educators together as a founding member of the Michigan Association for the Education of Young People (MiAEYC), serving as its first president, as well as being a founding member of its local affiliate in central Michigan and board member at the national level.

She was also a founding member of the Michigan Council of Cooperative Nurseries and a leader in the Head Start Program from its inception in 1965 until her retirement.

Throughout her career she was never afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and experiment with new ideas to engage children with love and laughter.

Betty received many awards, including an honorary degree from MSU's College of Human Ecology and the first ever Betty Garlick Lifetime Achievement Award from MiAEYC. But the most meaningful expression of Betty's legacy is found in her collection of letters from parents, children and human ecology students.

In retirement, Betty continued her legacy of giving as an American Red Cross volunteer and generous supporter of humanitarian, animal protection and environmental causes, while further expressing her nurturing ways as a master gardener through MSU's Horticulture Garden.

Betty is survived by her colleague and dearest friend, Mariella Aikman, her brother, Bill Garlick, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Edgewood United Church, MSU's Child Development Laboratories, the American Red Cross, or, in the true spirit of Betty's lifelong example, a special act of kindness can be extended to a young child.

Services were held at Edgewood United Church, East Lansing on November 7.

Published in Lansing State Journal on October 31, 2010