Betty Hubert, 84, of Rancho Cucamonga, passed away by accident on January 3, 2023. Betty was born in Watts, CA on July 12, 1938. She was the middle of three children born to Beula and Guy Smith. Betty is survived by her sons John (Alison), Todd (Jill), and Roland (Dawn); daughter Stacy (Michael); many grandchildren; sister Gladys “Judy” Nichols (Hobart “Nick”-deceased); and brother Guy Smith (Charlyn). She was preceded in death by her parents, her son David, and by her beloved husband Richard who recently passed on October 30, 2022.
Betty and Richard’s fifty-seven-year marriage started at Chino Courthouse on July 15, 1965 after meeting just two months earlier at Espiau’s Restaurant in Pomona, CA. Betty graduated from Glendale High School in 1956. She attended Clark Middle School in La Crescenta, CA and Zarganza Grade School in Highland Park, CA. In childhood, Betty’s family primarily lived in California, but they also spent time in their ancestral home in Lake City (now Rocky Top), Tennessee and various parts of Florida. According to family lore, “traveling in a 1939 Buick to wherever work could be found”.
Betty was a food server and cherished friend to many at Espiau’s Restaurant from the early 1960s to 1994. She provided customer service and was a beloved friend to fellow associates, and treasured mentor to many young coworkers at Hoyt’s Ace Hardware on Archibald Ave. in Rancho Cucamonga, CA from 1994 to 2020.
She was a parishioner at St. Peter and St. Paul Parish in Rancho Cucamonga for many years but recently found her spiritual home at Hillside Community Church, also in Rancho Cucamonga.
Betty’s love of family and friends was rivaled only by her funny and sharp wit and her ability to whip up a comforting meal out of any ingredients she had on hand. She had a gift for creating a home where guests became family. The moment visitors felt comfortable enough to reach in the refrigerator, invite themselves to the always-filled bowl of candy, or open the pantry door was a treasured one for Betty. It assured her that she created a space where they felt safe and could be themselves. To be in her presence was to feel loved, laugh, and be well fed. In recent years she and Richard were known in the community for their daily walks with their dear dog, Daisy. Daisy was deeply loved and the most recent of many family dogs. Always a dog lover, Betty ensured they were cherished members of the family. In the hustle and bustle of Southern California life, Betty and Richard managed to build a warm sense of community by showing up and sharing a smile and a hello with those they met on their daily walks. Recently, upon learning of Betty’s passing, one of those acquaintances emotionally shared how much he treasured those moments, that both Betty and Richard were kind in ways he finds rare in today’s society. Betty was especially fond of the community of friends at Red Hill and Central parks. In recent years Betty was instrumental in starting a fun tradition, that spread among the community at Red Hill Park, of bringing ornaments to hang on a pine tree, simply to spread good cheer. It was the subtleties in life that brought Betty happiness. Those around her could not help but feel the warmth that radiated from her. According to her brother, “Betty was very loyal and what she was can be seen in the children she raised.”
The deep sense of loss felt by those who love her is equal to the gratitude for the life they shared with her.
Funeral information: Betty’s children would like to apologize for the unfortunate delays in welcoming those who loved her to come together to grieve and celebrate her life, and are relieved to finally be able honor her in a way more consistent with what she deserved.
Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at
Hillside Community Church
5354 Haven Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737
Betty and Richard’s ashes will be interred together immediately following services at:
Oak Park Cemetery
410 Sycamore Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711
Betty’s children will be hosting a gathering of remembrance and celebration at Betty and Richard’s home immediately following the interment.
Please contact Stacy Paich for address or with questions: 909-489-8644
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