Erin Christine Betz
August 26, 1971- January 18, 2008
Many of you know and love Erin. We lost her at the young age of 36 on Friday afternoon. She passed sweetly and peacefully. I know she is in a much better place and out of pain. Erin, we LOVE and miss you!!! Please feel free to leave comments to the family.
Our beloved daughter, sister, “auntie” and friend, Erin Christine Betz passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon January 18th 2008. She was born in Berkeley, California on August 26, 1971 to W. Philip and Kathleen Kelley Betz destined to become the loving big sister to 6 younger brothers and sisters. Erin grew up in River Heights and attended Edith Bowen Elementary School, Mount Logan Middle School, Logan High School and Ricks College.
Erin was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and resided in the River Heights 3rd Ward. She especially enjoyed the company of the Relief Society sisters.
Erin loved cats and raised purebred Persians throughout her life. She took great joy in helping others and providing volunteer service. As a young girl, she served as a “Candy Striper” at Logan Regional Hospital. This same spirit motivated her to continue serving others recovering from illnesses with her beloved “Skinny”, a trained and certified therapy cat, even during the time she was being treated for her cancer.
Erin was very creative and designed and produced hand made clay beads and necklaces, which tied to her vocation in life of jewelry sales at Kay and Fred Meyer Jewelers. She had a quick wit and a creative way of presenting and selling jewelry. There are undoubtedly many clueless husbands whose marriages were preserved through Erin’s expert jewelry consultations! Erin was also a very accomplished photographer and has thousands of pictures in her collections. She specialized in candid shots of her nieces and nephews.
Erin loved to travel and was able to travel to Italy, France and Spain despite her illness. She loved the Seattle area where she made her home for many years.
Erin will be missed by her parents and siblings and all her nieces and nephews; Joel Betz and his wife Jess and their four children; Brian Betz, Dana and Cecily; Kelli Ross and her husband Zak and their four children; Bill Betz and his wife Amy; Susan Hansen and her husband Johnnie; and Carolyn Cutler and her husband Chase and their new baby boy. She is also survived by loving grandparents Hoyt Kelley, Bill and Dorisse Coats and Wally Betz. Her best friend Chris Miller was of special support to Erin and her family. Carolyn Bentley was also a faithful, loving friend.
The family appreciates all those professionals who so compassionately helped to care for her: Dana Kidman, Karen Lacey, Dr. Ali Choucair and staff, Dr. Leland Rogers and staff, Dr. Bruce O’Very, and Sunshine Terrace’s nurses and staff.
Funeral Services will be held at noon on Tuesday January 22nd in the Providence Stake Center located at 800 South 600 East in River Heights. Friends may call from 6:30 to 8 :00 PM Monday evening January 21st and from 10:30 to 11:30 AM prior to the services on Tuesday. Interment will be in the Providence Cemetery.
Please leave a comment. Thank you for all your support in this time.
15 comments:
Our deepest sympathies Betz Family! We love you all and you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love The Standage Family
I am so sorry for your loss. Our prayers go out to you.
Long ago when I first met you guys I remember going to the temple with your family and Joels family to see the lights and I remember meeting Erin and I remember her being full of energy and she was so nice. She will not be forgotten.
Again I am sorry. Love you guys.
To the whole Betz family - I truly am so sorry for your loss. You all will remain in my prayers. With all the time I have spent with you all, I consider you family and want you to know your in my thoughts. I truly am glad I got to meet and get to know all of you. Lots of Love Jackie Villont aka Auntie Kikki
To My Big Sister, Erin:
Words cannot express the rush of emotions that I feel right now. While I am grieving so immensely inside, I also am comforted in the knowledge that your sweet spirit is here with me now. I know in my heart that you are happy and at peace. Though this time is hard, I know that it will get easier.
Before you left us, I was able to share some of my feelings with you. If you didn't realize it then, I want you to know that I love you. You have always been such a great big sister. Its innumerous how many times you showed your love to me. I know that you have always been proud of me. You always took such good care of me whether it was by helping me look 'cool' with your fashion sense, or taking the time to put an awesome happy stick in my hair. The countless memories will never be forgotten.
I love you so very much. I miss talking to you but know that you are still with me each and every day. I will never forget all of the special times we've had together. I love you BIG SISTER!!!
Love, Su-Su
Only 36. WOW! Heavenly Father must have needed her pretty bad. She had to be special. If she was anything like Joel, everyone was her friend. Our deepest sympathy to the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry for your loss....
Kayola and Phillip Skinner
Those songs are beautiful, perfect for such a beautiful girl and person..I am sad I didn't know erin, but i am lucky enough to know joel and jess and we love them so I know I love erin and your family also..I am extremely sorry for your loss and am so grateful for our beliefs in this church and the knowledge that we know we will see our loved ones again..thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute for us to get to see a glimpse of erin's life and see the wonderful person she was..we love you guys and our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time..love scott, stephanie and family
We are dear friends of Jess and Joel Betz, and even though we've never met Erin personally.....we feel like we have....we are sooo sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with the ENTIRE Betz family as well...it is an honor to share in this tribute to her and what a REMARKABLE young woman she was!!! LOVE! John,Karen,Riley &Teagan
Hi Betz family~
It was great to see you all yesterday. I'm only sorry it had to be under such sad circumstances. Redge and I just want you all to know how much we love and miss Erin. It's been a long time since we were all at Ricks and Utah State together, but those were the best of times! On our drive home yesterday we laughed and cried as we recounted so many of our memories of Erin.
We came up with our
"Top 10 Stories about Erin"
10~ On a serious note~ Erin's amazing mind. She has so much trivia in her head she could seriously win Jeopardy! She could do anything, make anything, memorize everything. She can talk details about cats, photography, geography, jewelry, swimming~ such as pros and cons to every cap made, local news, world news, and any other topic that comes to mind. That girl is incredible! To think what she knows now seriously blows my mind!
9~ Nikki and I are in Redge's and Johnny's apartment at Kampus Korner. Erin blows through the door. Jess is quietly following. The two girls are on their way to go dancing. Erin bursts into tears. She storms into the living room, and comes to an angry halt right in front of me. She is wearing no less than 10 bright colors, 10 eye Doc Martens, Liz Taylor eyeliner, a plethora of beads, etc. She pauses for just a moment, pulls herself together just a bit, and very seriously states, "My dad says I look like a clown!"
8~ Erin installed my very first hair wrap! I loved it! It was red, green, blue, and cream, with a tiny skull at the end. She was the only girl at Ricks who could do hair wraps, and she had quite a steady business going. I'm telling you~ the girl was successful at everything she ever tried. I wish I could be just half as successful, and have just a pinch of her ambition, fortitude, diligence, and confidence. What an amazing example of faith. I can’t help but think of Erin when reading of Lehi’s counsel to his family at the time of his death, “having power given them to do all things by faith.” (2 Nephi 1:10)
7~ My second year at Ricks (now BYU-Idaho) I had the opportunity to get to know both Erin and Joel. I’ll never forget the night I put the two of them together. Erin had been to my apartment several times, and Joel had as well, but never together. My roommate, Melanie, always called Joel, “Cute Boy.” Erin was at my place one night, and we were all talking about different cute boys on campus. Unbeknownst to me, Melanie’s crush on Joel was a secret because Joel, of course, had already fallen head over heels, madly in love with Jessica Messica Bibbidy-Bobbidy-Boo. At any rate, Melanie was listing all kinds of boys she thought were cute. Knowing how fond she was of Joel, I innocently & sincerely asked, “What about THE cute boy, Joel?” Melanie turned bright red, and Erin’s eyes caught fire! Erin loved Jess clear back then, and she wasn’t going to let anyone take her brother from her. Like she was with all her siblings, Erin was very protective of Joel, and his happiness was everything to her. I pray my kids will always have that kind of love for one another! Erin and Melanie are still friends. It was merely a moment of discomfort.
6~ One day I was working with Jess at Poco Loco. Kathi had taken Kelli to get her driver’s license~ leaving Cari with us at the shop. Cari noticed Jess’ mangled nail, and asked what happened. Jess told Cari the story, and Cari, with complete understanding and sincerity, “Ohhhh, Erin was born without a hip.” Yes, mangled nail, no hip, pretty much equal don’t you think???
5~ While growing up Erin and I had many similar experiences. We both came from families of 7 children, we each had 3 brothers and 3 sisters, and we both, at some point, had to share a bed with a sister. I loved comparing stories with Erin about sharing a bed with a little sister! We both demanded complete silence, and absolutely no movement from our younger siblings. Sorry, Kelli, maybe you can contact my sister and start a support group.
4~ Erin tried really hard to teach me the art of bead making. Sadly, I must admit I have no talent for that skill. Erin was so patient. She truly has one of the kindest hearts I’ve ever been blessed to know. She can’t hold a grudge, her tolerance level infinite. I pray I can show my children a mere portion of the charity Erin has always shown me.
3~ The Betz family is amazing! They all love each other, cheer for one another, encourage each other, and stand up for one another. This for sure was instilled from the beginning by Phil and Kathi. Phil and Kathi love one another completely, and they are undoubtedly devoted to their children. They truly follow the Savior’s example and teachings. I can’t help but think of the Betz family when I read in Matthew 25:40, “Verily, I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” I think of the example Phil and Kathi set for their children by taking in other children who needed homes, feeding the neighborhood, “adopting” parentless teenagers, and fostering many teenagers with no where else to go. The Betz kids have grown up, and have followed suit. They are all outstanding humans. However, these traits don’t come by accident. They have to be taught, retaught, and taught and again. Phil and Kathi took the time to teach their kids. They took advantage of every moment they had to talk with their kids. I remember one night our group of friends was planning to go out. We were waiting for the arrival of Jess and Erin. They didn’t come, and they didn’t come. Finally, they showed up, and Jess calmly and apologetically said, “I’m so sorry we’re late.” Erin then announced, “Yeah, sorry. My dad was talking forever! It was the third family home evening this week!”
2~ All I need to say here is: I feel horribly guilty every time I throw something away without recycling.
1~ One weekend the group of us: Johnny, Redge, Brandon, Nikki, Sara, Jess, Erin, and I went to Johnny’s farm at Bear Lake. We stopped at the grocery store to buy steaks, burgers, hot dogs, etc. to cook over the open fire. We built the fire, and everybody but Erin chose their meat, and we began cooking our dinners. Not Erin. She walked over to the Honda, dug around for a while, and then came back with a sauce pan and spaghetti!
Erin totally understood things that I am not yet ready to know. I find one scripture to describe Erin perfectly. In Ether 12, Moroni reminds us of the faith of the Brother of Jared. In verse 21, we read, “And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil.” As I mentioned before, Erin has tremendous faith, and it is that faith that has taken her home. Because of her faith and goodness she could no longer live on this side of the veil.
I loved what Phil said yesterday about Erin being an angel. I’m grateful for that thought. I’m glad to know my kids have Erin watching over them.
We love and miss Erin. Our thoughts, love, and prayers are with the entire Betz/Kelly Family.
With love and prayers~
Redge & Lyndee Hudson
PS~ I'm so sorry this so totally long, but I just couldn't leave out anything!
Thank you for sharing a bit of Erin with us. I didn't know her but do know and love Kelli and Zach. Our hearts go out to all of you as you cope without her here on earth. The remarkable thing is that she will never be far, and your sweet family will have guardian angel to watch over all of you. She sounds like a very special person.
Much love,
Stacy Harmer
I remember the time that Jess and Erin came to Ventura and visted me on my mission. I always heard about her making beads and even had a few I seem to remember. I know that Erin is going to be sorely missed by all the family here, but also have faith that there is something better in store for her now.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all her loved ones and friends.
J. P. and Lisa Villont family
What a special family you are. I am personally so grateful our paths crossed because Kelli has brought so much love and light into our family. You are in our prayers and we pray you will find comfort in the love that is being poured out to you. Erin will be missed by many but she is not really gone. Her spirit will linger and your lives will be blessed by that spirit.
Love,
Collette Larsen
We are so sorry for your loss Betz family. We are friends of Joel and Jess and have met a few other members of your family, all I can say is Erin gorgeous and is so fortunate to have you all! I know it doesn't make it hurt any less but I know that she'll be with every day. I believe in my heart that Heavenly Father must have an very sweet job for such an apparently amazing young women to need her at such a young age. Thanks you for sharing a little of her light with us. We will be thinking of you.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to make it to the services and talk with the family in person. I'd love to see everyone again.
I have some pretty awesome memories due to Erin and the Betz family. Growing up and swimming with the Betz' is what I consider "The good ol'days." We all had a very tight-nit group that was like my second family.
I'd just like to say THANK YOU to Erin and the whole family for those great memories. They're what helps keep me going today.
Dearest Betz Famil,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We are so sad we didn't get the chance to meet Erin. The stories and pictures show what an amazing woman she was and what a great loss to all. We are so sorry!
Terry Family
Erin and I were friends many years ago when I lived in Seattle. We thought it was cool that we were both named Erin! We also worked together at the Embassy Suites. I bought a beautiful kitten from her, a cream persian who I named Lewis. Lewis is now 12 years old. I tried google searching Erin today to try to find a way of contacting her and getting back in touch (also to send her pictures of beautiful Lewis!). I had no idea .... I am devestated by this news. I have so many wonderful memories of Erin and her love for her kitties. My deepest sympathies to your family.
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