Marjorie Elizabeth Root

Marjorie Elizabeth (Betty) Root

April 11, 1930 - June 30, 2025

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many, Marjorie Elizabeth (Betty) Root (nee Motz), passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 30, 2025. She was predeceased by her husband James Roderick Root and her brother Carl Edward Motz, Jr. Betty led an extraordinary life. She was born to Carl Edward and Cora Elizabeth Motz on April 11, 1930 in Akron, Ohio. Betty and her older brother Ed grew up in the heart of the Depression giving her a lifelong sense of hard work, thrift and love that she would pass on to others. She often spoke of many friends and neighbors who mentored and cared for her and she carried on that quality throughout her life. She lived her later teen years in Phoenix, AZ but returned to Akron where she met the love of her life, James Roderick Root. Betty and Jim were married in 1951 while he was stationed with the army in Virginia, returning to Akron after his service to begin life back in Ohio. Soon though, Jim took a job with Eli Lilly which brought them to Indiana where they would make their home for most of their marriage. Betty also had a promising career at Eli Lilly but at the time was unable to continue work as it was unacceptable for a working woman to exhibit signs of motherhood in such a business environment. Times have changed.

Betty took becoming a mother very seriously and raised her 3 children, Susan (John) Ross, Jim (Elizabeth) Root and Beth (Larry) Lammers to be independent, self-sufficient and confident, always encouraging them to spread their wings and make the most of their passions. No matter where they went or whatever their endeavors, she supported them. When her children married, she embraced her children’s spouses as her own, refuting the stereotypical "mother-in-law" image. So much so that she sometimes appeared to prefer the spouse to her birth child. And in turn as she began to receive 9 grandchildren, she embodied the unconditional grandmotherly love for each grandchild, for whom she developed a unique and special bond: Dave (Amanda) Ross, Jim Ross, Annie (John) Baker, Tom (Sara) Root, Emily (Eric) Anderson, Madeline (Richard) Paulius, Charlotte (Matt) Kraushar, Elle (Ryan) Stitt and Rod (Lindsay) Lammers. And now to date, Betty has known 20 great grandchildren: John, Abby, Jane and Andrew Ross; William and Charlie Baker; Willem and Ingrid Root; Ellis, Everett and Esme Anderson; Milo and Adair Paulius; Silas and Sawyer Kraushar; Cece and Lucy Stitt; Ted, Jude and Wesley Lammers. Betty is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ted and Laura Root, their children and grandchildren, and her nephew Jay Motz.

Betty and husband Jim bought a historic home on White River around 1970 that became the hub of all family activity. She worked tirelessly to maintain and preserve and beautify the home inside and out. The grounds around it were always full of flowers and beautiful plantings. Something was always in bloom from her efforts. The river itself became a focus of summer and winter activity with swimming, boating, skiing, sledding and ice skating. She created a home where family and friends gathered. Whether holidays or birthdays or weddings, she made events special without boasting or complaining about the preparation and work she put in. Betty was a wonderful cook of so many countless meals. As her family continued to grow, she adapted and now her grandchildren will always know and love her famous “Grandma’s Lasagna”.

Betty led an active outdoor life enjoying tennis for many years. Her children would convince her to put on a pair of water or snow skis from time to time. She had a very creative side as well, enjoying sewing, needlepoint, and knitting as well as tackling projects as ambitious as refinishing an old baby grand piano- on which she entertained during holidays. She encouraged this passion for creativity to her children and grandchildren. Betty also lived a life of service, volunteering for many organizations. Starting with PTO duties in her children’s schools and moving to other community groups like Fletcher Place, Meals on Wheels, Crossroads Guild and St. Margaret’s Guild to name a few. She and husband Jim were also very involved in St. Luke’s United Methodist Church when it was just a small chapel on the northern edge of Indianapolis, contributing and helping it grow into the large, diverse and vibrant community that it is today.

Betty had such a large number of close and lifelong friends throughout her life. She was the person friends would turn to when encountering stress or trying times. So much so it could be said she had many “best” friends. She loved to travel and took many trips over the years with husband Jim and later with various friends and her “Cruise Group”. Even in her last months of Memory Care, she would reach out to fellow residents who needed a friend.

While Betty’s passing is a sad time for her family, they feel so lucky to have lived in her kind, loving and protective embrace for so many years, comforted that she was always there for us. We are so grateful to the staff at The Barrington of Carmel Indiana for helping her navigate her last year and especially grateful to the kindness of the nurses and staff of Paradigm Health Hospice Care. Please think of Betty by taking a moment each day to show kindness and compassion to strangers as well as friends.

At Betty’s request, there is to be no funeral, but the family will have a small gathering and inurnment at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on August 14, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Easter Seals Crossroads Guild, Washington Township Schools Foundation or a charity of your choice.