01/30/1936 – 6/20/2022
Violet Elizabeth (Betty) Blackburn McKaig passed away, Monday, June 20th, 2022. Betty was a resident of the San Diego area for over 60 years, currently residing in Riverside, CA near her son Mark and daughter-in-law Renee.
Betty was born in Philadelphia, PA on 1/30/1936 to Allen and Violet Zigman Blackburn. Betty was a graduate of Lansdowne High School class of 1953 and Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital School of Nursing class of 1956. Betty married the love of her life, C. Thomas (Tom) McKaig, 12/29/1956.
In 1959, Tom accepted a job offer from General Dynamics, Convair in San Diego and there Betty and Tom lived their lives and raised their family. Though she was always one to return to the East Coast for family gatherings and high school reunions, Betty lived her life enjoying San Diego and later Escondido. Betty was a student of God’s word and a practicing Catholic. Betty taught a ladies Bible Study at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Escondido for many years. Retreat time in October, was always her favorite time of year.
Betty is survived by her children, Diane McKaig Pierce (Larry), Mark McKaig (Renee), Drew McKaig (Terry), Suzanne McKaig Laber (Mark), 11 grandchildren and 8 (soon to be 10) great grandchildren, sister, Eileen Blackburn Barker, brother, Kenneth A. Blackburn (Louise) beloved family including numerous nieces and nephews and friends across the United States.
Betty made a profession of being a Mom. She was Little League Team Mom, Girl Scout Leader, Room Mom, Bible Study Teacher, prayer warrior, avid gardener, daily swimmer (in summer), loving grandmother and great grandmother. She was educated as a nurse, kept her license active and always enjoyed the learning her professional development required. Betty enjoyed traveling the world with Tom and their friends for many years. Their favorite destination was always Maui, and other Hawaiian Islands.
In addition to her family, Betty received attentive care in these last few years from the supportive memory care staff at Westmont Village and care givers of Lake Forest Services. Betty is preceded in death by her loving husband, Tom McKaig, parents, Allen and Violet Blackburn and her niece Susan Ann Johnson.
There will be a graveside service Tuesday, 6/28/22 at 11:30 am. with a luncheon at the funeral home afterward.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Leukemia, Lymphoma Society (LLS), or Make a Wish. Thank you to all those that knew, cared about and for, Betty through the years. She was loyal and faithful to family and friends. Betty enjoyed a life well-lived. We will miss her. “May the road rise up meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in palm of His Hand.”
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