Betty Ann Peña

Heaven has gained an angel. On December 14, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Beatrice “Betty” Ann (Gutierrez) Pena passed away in Visalia, California at the age of 90. Betty was blessed to have lived a long and full life, and she died peacefully in her sleep.

Betty was born on May 1, 1925 in Redbanks, California to Cleto and Jesus (Mesa) Gutierrez. Betty grew up on the Redbanks Ranch along with her four brothers, Phillip, Jim, Paul, and Steven Gutierrez, and their sister Lena (Gutierrez) Renteria. All attended Woodlake schools. Betty met the love of her life Mike C. Pena at a school carnival in Woodlake and they later married on June 8, 1946 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia CA. Together they raised seven children: David (Patsy) , Benjamin (Rita), Catherine (Moises Garza), Loretta (Mike Padilla, deceased), Edmund (Robin), Raymond (Olga De la Torres), and Amanda (Louie Lopez, deceased). Mike preceded her in death 2006.

Betty worked for a packing house in the Woodlake area for many years before becoming a full time housewife and caregiver to her children and later to her 20 grandchildren, whom she showered with love and affection.

Betty loved gardening and in the summer she could always be seen sitting under a finely pruned tree, watering her roses and irises. Betty also loved to collect salt and pepper shakers and she proudly displayed her collection, gathered from all over the world for her. Betty loved to get all dressed up and put on her signature red lipstick and Estee Lauder perfume to go shopping. She was very artistic and she would often do pencil drawings or mold clay figures for her grandchildren. She was known to enjoy music and laughter, and a good joke. She was a loving, kind and generous person, and she thoroughly appreciated the beautiful things in life. Betty also loved watching her children and grandchildren play in school sports and other activities.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sister, two sons-in-law, and one grandson. She is survived by her seven children, 19 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and many nieces & nephews, who along with many other relatives and friends, will always love her and miss her greatly.

A viewing will be held on Monday, 12/21/15 from 3pm – 6 pm, with Rosary from 6pm – 7pm, at the Miller Memorial Chapel. A Catholic Mass will be held on Tuesday, 12/22/15, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Visalia, with graveside services following at the Visalia District Cemetery.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.