Elizabeth Mae McGee Kuks

Elizabeth Mae Kuks, 76, of Redding, California, passed away on February 11, 2011, at Canyonwood Senior Center from natural causes.

Elizabeth (Betty) was born on December 21, 1934 in Portland, Oregon, to Norbert and Elizabeth McGee. She grew up in northeast Portland and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1951 (?). In 1952, she married Robert Huber and had five children. She later divorced and married Jack Kuks, and together they raised the children in Fremont, California. Betty was a member of the Candlelighters and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack Kuks, her sisters Louanne Romanski and Mary McGee.

Betty was a devoted wife and mother who loved to entertain. She was a fabulous cook and often hosted dinners that included inviting in complete strangers. There was always enough for one more. She had an extraordinary gift for loving people. She always found a way to connect with those in need and help them get back on the right road. She could relate to people on any level. Betty had the same creative gene as her Mother and expressed it through her oil painting, cooking, and arts and crafts. Family was very important to her and she spent her later years traveling around to see her children, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

The family was very active in social events and military activities. After retirement, they moved to the Oregon Coast. Betty and Jack owned a small gift shop in Depoe Bay and enjoyed spending time with people and community events. After Jack's passing, she moved to Redding, California to be near family.

Elizabeth is survived by her five children; Nanette Costello and husband Daniel of Mesa, AR and their children, Corinne and Tony; Robert Kuks and wife Cheryl of Tracy, CA, and their children Robert Jr., Justin, and Lauren; Martin Kuks and wife Carolyn of Redding, CA and their children Travis, Riley and Kennedy; Suzanne Shelvock and husband Richard of Boise, ID and their children Joshua, Jessica and Jillian; Jennifer Salvador and husband Wayne and her children Nicholas, Christopher and Matthew.