Betty Marie White

Betty Marie (Setzer) White was born May 20, 1941 at Queen of Angels Hospital, Los Angeles, CA. She passed away on July 30, 2012 at age 71 at home in Ventura, CA of complications from C.O.P.D. She leaves behind her husband of 48 years, Richard; her three sons, Samm and wife Pamela, Dann and wife Jennifer and Matt and fiancé Danielle Piro; her 5 grandchildren, Tommy Caltrider, Sammantha, Austin, Seth and Grace White.

Betty was born without a hip socket and spent her first 17 years undergoing numerous surgeries and long periods in full body casts. She was denied her goal to become a registered nurse due to her disabilities, but she worked in hospitals and doctor’s offices as a young woman, using her positive attitude about life in everything she did. She worked 3 summers at the Joan Meyer Camp in Malibu for disabled youth, which gave her great joy, being able to give back for all the help that had been given to her. She first met her husband Dick White at the age of 14 and told her mother that someday he would be her husband. They married in 1964 and she became the rock of their marriage. Together they embarked on a 30 year journey of couching youth and high school football. She became the first of many women athletic trainers with the Ventura Packers. She ran the Packers snack bar for 3 years, setting a record each year in revenues earned. She also served on the board of directors and was president of the Indian Wells Valley Youth Football in Ridgecrest. Later, she helped at St. Bonaventure High School during camp week helping with food prep for 6 years. She also taught Catechism at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister, taking Communion to the sick for many years.

She was a proud member of the Potawatomi Indian Nation, the People of the Fire. She was a direct descendent of an 18th Century tribal princess.

But she was proudest of her 3 energetic, athletic sons, seeing them grow into solid, strong men and become fine fathers themselves. Some of her favorite times were spent canning fruit with her friends each spring and making clothes for her sons. She made them matching suits when the oldest two were young. She made many custom embroidered work shirts for her husband. During these years she also continued to work in doctor’s offices. She had to give up all these activities several years ago when a lifetime of arthritis forced her to retire. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church on Monday, August 6 at 11:30 a.m. followed by internment at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Charles Carroll Funeral Home (805) 642-8134.