She would say she’s just resting her eyes, but we know better. Lois Lind Bettis peacefully passed away at home on January 29th. She was in her sewing room, on the daybed made by her husband, right where she wanted to be.
Born in Wahoo, Nebraska to Dave and Anna Lind on July 7, 1927, Lois grew up with her brother, John and sister, Ruth, in a family that valued faith, education and hard work. In 1938 the family moved to “the farm” in Ashland. Though the family was of modest means, it was always understood the kids would pursue higher education. Lois attended Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota and went on to graduate with a Business Studies degree from University of Nebraska in Lincoln.
Lois met Louis Bettis (who passed in 2002) through mutual friends and they married in 1952. After his graduation from college, they lived first in Akron, then moved to Phoenix which became home for the rest of their lives.
Music and singing were an important part of Lois’s life, beginning with learning
piano at a young age. She played trombone, having chosen that in high school because the cutest boy in the band played trombone. As an adult, she was the ringleader of the “Mother’s Band” comprised of a handful of neighborhood moms and a borrowed bass drum. Her grandchildren fondly remember parading around the living room and backyard playing in a kazoo marching band. She played handbells for many years at her church and also as part of the Marching Handbell Choir. Lois was known for breaking into song at a moment’s notice, singing from the church hymnal or her beloved bawdy songbook. It was not unusual to walk up to her door and hear her playing the piano and singing out loud.
Her passion for puzzles was legendary. Sometimes the instructions alone were enough of a challenge for most of us. If you were ever around her when she was solving one, you were probably asked for help, particularly with pop culture questions which were not readily available in her extensive, albeit a bit outdated, reference library. It was understood that if you walked into the room with a jigsaw puzzle going, you had to add at least one piece.
July 7, Lois's birthday, is the first day of the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. From the time she learned this as a child, she regularly talked about wanting to go to the Fiesta de San Fermín and see the bulls run. It was a dream she realized in 1999 and created a family memory that will be cherished by all of us forever (sorry grandkids).
Lois spent much of her life in service to God and First United Methodist Church, Phoenix. With lots of support, she was instrumental in the preparation of a Monday evening meal for clients of UMOM for nearly 25 years. Even in the last week of her life she was clipping coupons and planning for that Monday night meal. She also shared her talents as a seamstress, sewing for the Back to School Clothing Drive for decades, with the last outfits being sewn and donated just a few years ago.
Lois’s family is particularly grateful for the excellent and loving care she received from so many fine doctors and nurses, especially those met through John C. Lincoln North Mountain. Diagnosed ten years ago with pancreatic cancer, Lois beat every odd for survival. The last ten years have truly been a gift and her family credits the impeccable care she received as a blessing.
If you knew Lois, you knew she was very frugal. Some may say that's an understatement. What you may not know is that she was also extraordinarily generous with her gifts. Lois firmly believed in sharing her blessings with others with no expectation of recognition or even thanks. If you are so inclined, make a gift to the charity or organization of your choice. Lois had a heart for organizations supporting people working hard to improve their own lives, particularly ICM Food and Clothing Bank and UMOM. Consider making your donation anonymously as that is what she would have done. Or, offer your hands in service; share the gift of your time. It would be an honor to her.
Lois grew up in a family that valued its heritage and its faith and raised her own family with these same values. While much of the time she was a woman of few words, when she did speak up, you knew it was going to be worth listening. She always had a way of making life fun. From making piñatas and luminarias before they were commonplace, to bottling root beer on the back patio, to camping all over the state, she had an enthusiasm for life and her family. Not only did Lois model how to live a life full of love, faith, and ‘sponsibility, she showed us how to gracefully move on to the next one. Her family will continue her legacy by leading lives that would make her proud, sharing these values with others.
She is survived by her sad, but very grateful family. Bruce (Terry), Barry (Liz) and Anne, along with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, invite you to join them at a celebration of her life, a life well-lived, on Saturday, March 2 at 11am at First United Methodist Church, Phoenix. We plan to laugh and sing, just like she wanted us to. We would be happy if you'd like to share a memory or two at her service.
Good job, Grandma. We will miss you.
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