Betty Ann Stirling Sewell

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Betty Ann Sewell who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Betty was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Betty knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Betty was born on February 18, 1932 at home in Upton, Wyoming. Her parents were Thomas and Izelle Stirling. Betty was raised in Upton, Wyoming. Even as a youngster, Betty learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Betty was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Betty was raised with one brother, Jimmy Stirling.

Betty's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Betty enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. She was a jobs daughter.

In school, Betty was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. She sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of her classes. She would eagerly complete her homework, and often put in extra study time when she felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Betty was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Betty’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” She graduated from Monticeto Girls School in Santa Barbara, California in 1950. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. The Monticeto Girls School was a private girls school.

Betty was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Betty was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Betty came to expect her high standards of performance. Later in life, she became friends with Pauline Hagerman.

An objective and conscientious individual, Betty reveled in the security of her family. On December 15, 1950 Betty exchanged wedding vows with Willis Sewell at the Justice of the Peace of Rapid City, South Dakota. One of Betty’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Betty was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Betty would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Betty was blessed with two children, One son, Tom Sewell, and one daughter, Brenda Dowdy. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Ryan Dowdy, Justin Wood, and Kizzy Ledesma.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Betty was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Betty was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. In both her personal and professional environments, Betty upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was a sales associate for J. C. Penny Co. She was employed for 13 years by J. C. Penny Co. Betty was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Betty approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuit was knitting, which she loved to do.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Betty to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were football, baseball, and basketball.

Being generous with her time and energy, Betty liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. Throughout her later years, Betty was an active member of the Eastern Star.

Faith was important to Betty. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She followed the Methodist faith.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Betty used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Betty had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Hawaii, and traveling home to Wyoming each year.

When Betty’s retirement finally arrived in 2002, she was well prepared. She used her critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. Her new life involved relocating to Mesa, Arizona. In retirement, she found new pleasure in volunteering at Banner Baywood Hospital. In many ways, Betty loved retirement. It provided her with the opportunity to catch up with her friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Betty passed away on March 17, 2010 at at home in Mesa, Arizona. Betty died suddenly of a heart attack. She is survived by Tom and Liane Sewell, Steve and Brenda Dowdy, Ryan and Kyla Dowdy, Justin and Erica Wood, and Kizzy and Tom Ledesma. Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Upton, Wyoming. Betty was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Upton, Wyoming.

All who knew her would agree that Betty was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Betty Ann Sewell did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person.