The laws in St. Olaf are very stringent. Their motto is, “Use a gun, go apologize.” ~Rose Nylund
Much digital ink has been spilled about the passing of Betty White, a true national treasure, at the ripe old age of 99. Being that I grew up on the Golden Girls and that my mother was enchanted with the Mary Tyler Moore Show, which we watched on Nick at Nite reruns together, my appreciation for all things Betty runs pretty deep. America lost an icon… a woman dedicated to making people laugh until the very end, and who will, if we are all raising our kids right, will be making future generations laugh for years to come. She was paired with some of the truly greats in comedy and leaves behind a legacy that will likely be unmatched for some time. As the last of her cast mates from Golden Girls to pass, Betty’s continued presence in the limelight, her unfailing humor, and her irrepressible spirit have done so much to cement that show as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. Imagine being part of something still so culturally significant 30 years later.
Betty’s sad, though not quite unexpected, passing is bittersweet. Bitter because we lost someone great who never forgot what made her who she was or why everyone loved her. Her family and friends lost a beloved soul that they will hopefully mourn with a smile. But at the same time, the sweetness comes in the tributes I see to her legacy. In the fact that her death is bringing people together, and oddly enough, giving me a bit of hope that maybe we aren’t all as divided as it seems. I have to believe she would be proud to know that she was a uniting force in the world. And maybe it’s not enough to overcome what ails us. But it’s a heartening moment to realize that at the right time and for the right reasons, maybe we would be able to do it. Perhaps that is the uniqueness of comedy, that ability to bring us together, make us laugh, and give us hope or even just an escape from the everyday. That’s what Betty White did her entire career and it’s why she will be remembered for years to come.
Betty White will always remind me of watching Mary Tyler Moore with my mom late at night. She will remind me of my college roommates, with whom I watched reruns of Golden Girls with and laughed at every single one. She will remind me that an entire series I have on DVD is just itching to be dusted off and watched all over again. But most importantly, she will remind me that comedy isn’t something that just makes you laugh, but that also feeds your soul when you share it with people you love. Comedy makes memories. Comedy heals. And comedy, when done the way Betty did it, is often truly unforgettable.
Rest in Peace, Betty. Your legacy, and the legacy of the greats who went before you, lives on in all those who enjoyed your humor for so long. Thank you so much for so many years of making us laugh. And here’s to hoping that big St. Olaf in the sky welcomes you home with open arms!
Elizabeth Banak Books 