Elizabeth Blackwell’s journey began July 22, 1932. She was soon known as Betty June Gray. In her very early years she remembers her parent’s providing the third floor of their home for various relatives during the Depression. By age 6 she met her friend Dorothy. They have remained friends and in contact for 8 decades. Mom’s family left Chicago for Los Angeles due to her father’s health. As a young girl in Los Angeles she often rode the city bus, alone, to visit her uncles. With her girlfriends she would wait at the train station to get a glimpse of Frank Sinatra when he arrived in town. Betty June’s family soon moved to Albuquerque, her true home. Her years there instilled a love of red chili and flat enchiladas. She taught her children to love them as well. After marrying our father, she spent time in California, Florida, Texas, and over a decade in the Philippines. In later life it was always a treat when she made lumpia for us. Mom had a vast collection of cook books. She enjoyed reading and re-reading them, marking the recipes she liked. She also expressed her creativity crocheting afghans, baby blankets, and table cloths. Mom was also accomplished with cross stitch. She created many baby samplers, decorative pieces, and her favorite of Emmett Kelly, the sad hobo clown. Having a love of decorating, her children might often arrive home from school to a “new” house. Mom’s re-arranging always had a lovely result. In recent years she began to collect cows. Ornaments, mugs, statues, pictures, none more enjoyed than another. Mom loved to shop and could frequently be spotted tooling around town in her convertible VW. She was known to spend all day “window shopping” at Kohl’s. Mom stayed up to date on current events and was deeply concerned about the random violence in our nation. She was also able to fill anyone in on the latest news of the British royal family. During the past year, Mom experienced frustration that her body was slowing and there were so many things she wanted to do. As an independent woman, she was determined to remain on her own as long as possible, which she did. As ole blue eyes might say, she did it her way. There were good times, and hard times, and at this time we mark her passing with love. She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchild. Additionally she leaves her siblings, son in law, daughter in law, granddaughter in law, several nieces and nephews, and her Chihuahua companion, Herman. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice or an animal rescue in Mom’s name. Since Mom rarely got out and about before noon, we will begin a celebration of life at noon on Monday March 26, 2018. Inurnment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery.
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