Betti began volunteering at Farmington’s Governor Warner Mansion in 1993, dedicating more than 30 years to preserving and enhancing the Mansion's beautiful gardens. She retired at the end of 2025 from her post as the Head Gardener.

A Master Gardener, Betti's passion for horticulture began after the birth of her son, when, as she says, she simply "needed to get outside." Before joining the Governor Warner Mansion, she volunteered at Meadow Brook Hall, where she helped care for 13 gardens. When she learned the Governor Warner Mansion needed gardeners, she switched because the drive was much shorter. Betti lives in Farmington Hills where she served on the Beautification Committee for many years.

Betti's connection to the Mansion began before she became a volunteer. As a child, her trek from the East Side to Howell along Grand River Avenue brought her by the mansion on a regular basis.

When Betti first began volunteering, the Mansion had only recently transitioned from being occupied by a member of the Warner family to becoming a city-owned historic site. She has been part of the Mansion's restoration and preservation efforts from the very beginning, helping to shape the Mansion grounds into beautiful gardens for visitors. She remembers that the Eleanor Goodenough Spicer Fountain was not always part of the Mansion grounds but was moved from the Longacre House in Farmington Hills to the Mansion in 1985.

Over the years, Betti shared her expertise by speaking at numerous gardening programs throughout the community. Those presentations often inspired attendees to ask how they could get involved, providing her with opportunities to recruit some of the gardeners Betti has worked with over the years.

Beyond her gardening knowledge, Betti leaves behind a legacy of friendship, mentorship, and service. Her dedication has helped preserve one of Farmington's most treasured historic landmarks while inspiring others to become stewards of its beauty for generations to come.

" For more than 30 years, Betti poured her knowledge, creativity and love into the gardens at the Historic Governor Warner Mansion, making them a source of pride for Farmington. We are grateful for Betti's years of service and the beautiful legacy she leaves behind," said Farmington City Manager David Murphy.