Betty Freeland Saylor

Betty Freeland Saylor, 86, of Sandy, UT, passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025, after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy. Born August 16, 1938, in Newport, PA, she was the eldest daughter of Frank and Frances Freeland.

After graduating from Newport High School in 1956, Betty worked as Advertising Manager for the Newport News Sun while also waitressing at the Newport Hotel. Through a friendship with her future mother-in-law, Beryl Faul, she met her true love, Byron Lee Saylor. They became engaged at midnight on New Year’s Eve in 1963 and married later that year.

They settled in Meadville, PA, where their daughter, Audrey, was born in 1964. Byron’s career took the family to Kentucky, then Wisconsin—where their son, Thomas, was born in 1967—followed by Illinois and Indiana, where they lived for seven years. Betty was a devoted mother, substitute teacher, and Avon representative, always active in her community.

In 1978, the Saylors moved to Sandy, UT, where they spent the rest of their lives. There, they embraced the outdoors, learning to ski and exploring the West as a family. Betty made friends easily and enjoyed playing cards, volunteering as an election worker, and crafting. For 25 years, she was a dedicated patient advocate volunteer at Alta View Hospital until her health no longer allowed it.

Fulfilling Betty and Byron’s wishes, their remains will be placed together at Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Byron, an Army veteran, passed away in June of 2023, and his remains have been in her possession until they could be laid to rest together. A graveside service will be held on March 14, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 S. Redwood Rd., Bluffdale, Utah, followed by a reception in Cottonwood Heights at 5:00 PM. For details, please contact Stark’s Funeral Parlor.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Frank Jr. and Harry; and sisters, Carol and Linda. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Shick of Newport, PA; children, Audrey Saylor Mede (Maurice Jablon Mede) and Tom Saylor (Quinnie Lee Saylor); grandchildren, Samantha Mede Bigelow (Dr. Beau Bigelow), Parker Jablon Mede, and William Lee Saylor; and great-granddaughter, Elsie Saylor Bigelow.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Belle Vie Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org)