Betty Lu Grune

Betty Lu Grune (December 8, 1929 - August 17, 2023)

Betty Lu Albert Grune, 93, of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 17, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many – she exuded enthusiasm and a caring interest in all she met. Her extraordinary ability to write, listen and motivate provided immeasurable support to those close to her.

Betty Lu was born in San Francisco, CA to parents Captain Francis Lee Albert and Fern Olson Albert. With her father being a distinguished US Navy Chaplain, Betty Lu lived in numerous US and International locations; ultimately moving to Jacksonville, FL where she graduated from what is now Riverside High School in the Riverside-Avondale neighborhood. She met her husband, George V. Grune (1929-2013), at Duke University during the first weeks of college. From that moment, their wonderful love story began, and continued for 62 years. Betty Lu graduated from Duke University in 1951 earning a B.A. degree in English and was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

After marrying George in 1952, they lived in several places, most recently Fox Chapel, PA and then Westport, CT for 33 years. Betty Lu was active in the Westport Newcomers Club, PTA and Westport Garden Club; she also served as Westport Chapter President of her beloved PEO philanthropic organization. Living in Ponte Vedra Beach since 1989, the Grunes actively supported local organizations including the Jacksonville Symphony, Cummer Museum, Players by the Sea and Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida.

Through the years Betty Lu was a vibrant participant in countless events in New York and around the world in support of her husband, the former Chairman and CEO of Reader’s Digest Association. Most important to her, was raising her three sons, of whom she had great pride. She cherished her time with them and their families. She was known to be an excellent communicator, spending countless hours writing letters to family and friends. She connected family together with strong values, humor and commitment. She was known to ask, and remember, minute details about the lives of people around her until her very last days.

Betty Lu is predeceased by her husband, George V. Grune and siblings, Virginia May (Achtmeyer) Adams, Fern Marie Atkin and Francis Lee Albert, Jr. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren: George Jr. and Judy Grune (Fox Chapel, PA) with children, Heather, Lindsey and George III; Robert and Joan Grune (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL) with children, Alexandra, Robert Jr. and Jordan; and Steven and Nancy Grune (Darien, CT) with children, Steven Jr, Natalie and Kevin.

A service to Celebrate the Life of Betty Lu Grune will be held 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Palms Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.