Betty Irene Palmer Ratajczak

Betty Irene Palmer Ratajczak, 92, died on October 18, 2023, in her home in Catonsville, MD, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on Feb. 20, 1931 in Lewistown, MD, to the late Gordon F. and Irene Klipp Palmer, and married Raymond R. Ratajczak, a WMAR-TV producer/director, in 1954. He predeceased her in April 1986.

Mrs. Ratajczak was a lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Frederick, MD, but was ecumenical in her church participation. She graduated from Frederick High School in 1948, studied piano for eight years under Sperry L. Storm, and later attended Hood College, studying pipe organ under Professor Henry T. Wade and William Sprigg. At the age of 15, she was offered a full-time position as organist for the Frederick Church of the Brethren, then located on 4^th Street in Frederick.

She officiated there until beginning her nursing career, graduating from Franklin Square Hospital School of Nursing in Baltimore in 1952. After obtaining her registered nursing license, she continued in the profession until retiring in 1993. Throughout her career, Betty was a dedicated caregiver, known for her ability to connect strongly with the patients for whom she cared.

She was a 70-year member of the Nurses’ Health Society and a longtime member of the Frederick County Agricultural Society.

Mrs. Ratajczak was a prolific letter writer who enjoyed keeping in touch with friends and relatives through the written word. She enjoyed nature and delighted in writing about the wildlife she saw, especially the antics of Sammy the squirrel.

Survivors include daughters Andrea C. Ratajczak and Theresa I. Ratajczak; grandchildren John R. Cameron, Jordan R. Cameron, Kaelee Ratajczak-Dickson and Nyla Ratajczak-Dickson; brother Gordon Franklin Palmer, Jr. and his wife, Connie; niece Lee Ann Palmer Redmond, her husband, Kenny, and their children, Julianne and Kevin; and sons-in-law Wayne Cameron, Bill Dickson and Steve Solomon.

Visitation will be held at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike in Frederick, on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at Stauffer Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 27 at 11 a.m., with a graveside service to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 29 in Catonsville, MD, at Salem Lutheran Church, 905 Frederick Road, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a dessert reception. Dessert donations are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in her memory.