The Drive of Miss Betty

A mutually adoring almost 72-year marriage. A successful 54-year retail management career. The love and admiration of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, managers, co-workers and customers.

When Betty Jean Vigliaturo says she does nothing halfway or sla pdash, her life has proven it. “If it’s a job worth doing, it’s worth doing right,” she says.

At 88, Betty is retiring only because of a recent leg injury. “My mom always told us she would retire in March,” said Antionette, the youngest of her three children. “She just never told us what year. Who knew it would be 2020?”

It was March 1966 when Betty left Harzfeld’s after a few months to work first in millinery then in the credit department at Macy’s on Main in downtown Kansas City. The headquarters of Macy’s Midwest, the seven-story, old-school, full-service department store featured regional executives, regular visits from New York VIPs and five restaurants, including the Royal Room, which allowed women to enter only when accompanied by a gentleman.

After Dillard’s bought Macy’s in 1986, Betty transferred first to Antioch Shopping Center, then to Metro North Shopping Center, next to Ward Parkway Shopping Center and finally to Zona Rosa.

“I loved all of it and I still do,” she says. “And I’m going to miss everything, especially the people — my customers and my co-workers.”

Her prompt and perfect attendance is as legendary as her elaborate gift-wrapping skills. “I like to make a presentation,” says the woman who makes every appearance in complete and stylish makeup, jewelry and wardrobe.

Even Betty’s food is known for its presentation, especially her cakes and sweet potato casserole. “My motto is ‘When in doubt, add butter,’” she says.

When a friend asked her why she continued to work, Betty replied “I like to get up, get dressed and get going every day — if you don’t take pride in yourself , no one else will. Plus my husband, Joe, can’t tell me how to spend my money.” Then she laughed.

Throughout her career and especially at Zona Rosa, Joe is almost as well known as Betty. “I keep his picture on my desk next to my candy jar,” she said. “He was as handsome then as he is now.”

After retiring from a lengthy career with Milgram’s grocery store in Kansas City and through semi-retirement, Joe has chauffeured Betty to and from work every day since 1987. But he never simply drops her off, choosing instead to drive to the door, get out, open her door and escort her to the store. Joe even put a “7” and an “0” on the back of their car, signifying the length of their marriage (he’s a bit behind).

Together, they’re known as the “Driving Miss Betty” couple.

Betty and Joe met in high school, when she was a freshman and he was a senior. “I knew I loved her from the minute I saw her,” said Joe. “She made me chase her a little though.”

Betty still giggles and blushes when talking about how they met. “I said ‘He’s mine and he still is. And he always will be.”

After all, Betty knows a thing or two about loyalty, commitment and long relationships.