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Elizabeth Jean “Betty” Goodyear was the sixth child born to Ralph and Josephine Goodyear in LaGrange, Illinois. Three additional children would follow her April 7, 1923 birth. They lived in the former La Grange train station that “Pops" converted into a home for his burgeoning family. Betty left that home for California in 1943 at the age of 20. After several stops in "the woods", she lived in Porterville for 63 years – the last four with her daughter, Barbara. Betty passed in the early morning hours of July 4, 2017 with her son, Andy by her side.
The “middle child,” always independent, strong willed, and with a deep belief in God and her Catholic faith, she was graduated from junior college and moved from La Grange to Berkeley, CA with her younger sister, Pat in tow to live with oldest sister, Virginia, her husband and their two young children, Ricky and Sharon, and baby “Pinky." WWII had just ended, so Betty enrolled at UC Berkeley, worked part-time for Roos Brothers (later Roos Atkins) - where she met the love of her life, 1LT Selby Ansel Dotters, Jr., just back from the war. Ansel had survived 72 missions as pilot of a B-25 in the Philippines. Betty’s boss, Jean Marie was engaged to Ansel’s cousin, Gordon Brown, and when Ans came into the store one day, Jean Marie introduced them. Six weeks later, on February 27, 1946, "Bets and Ans" were married at the Bonnie Doone Ranch in Hayward, CA. They had been married for 61 years when Ansel passed away from Alzheimer’s in December, 2007. Betty had cared for him at home for five years and had literally loved him to death.
In the late 50s, Betty worked as a school secretary for Bellevue Elementary School, later “graduating" to secretary for Bartlett Jr. High, where she worked until retiring after 21 years. Then, because she loved to read, she volunteered at her kids’ alma mater, Roche Avenue School (where she could walk to school again!) to tutor and encourage young students in need of reading help.
Betty also loved athletics, especially tennis, which she played well into her mid-eighties. She also loved Solitaire – and Bridge, too though she was disappointed that her children did not. She loved to swim/skinny dip in her private pool and to take long walks, often by herself, even into her 90s!
When she was in and out of the hospital over the last few years, she couldn’t understand why all the nurses kept telling her how “cute” she was. Because you just were, Mom! You just were! You were always so spunky in spite of every personal challenge (and there were so many!) We miss you here, but will see you there someday.
Betty dearly loved children – especially her three: Dianne (Rik) Peirson, Barbara Dotters MacIsaac, and Andy (Rhonda) Dotters, and her incredible 11 grandchildren and their spouses (Jake, Jason, Chad, Katie Suarez, Meghan Harrison, Jessica Manguci, and Alec MacIssac; Ryan, Krista Sozinho, and Brent Dotters; and Lindsey Peirson-Hayes. Betty also leaves 23 adorable great-grandchildren!
In addition to her “kids,” Betty leaves her 92-year-old sister, Pat Urhausen, of Pleasant Hill, CA, who is now the last of the "nine little goodies.” Preceding Betty, (in order of birth) were siblings: Robert “Bob," Virginia “Ginny,” Gladys “Glad,” John, Mary, Joanne “Joey," and Ralph, Jr. “Junior." Betty also leaves her dear friend of 70 years and sister-in-law, Lea Dotters of Visalia and both sisters' children and their extended families. Many nieces and nephews on both sides of her family join us in celebrating Betty’s life.
A life-long Catholic, Betty especially enjoyed being able to walk to Mass with Barbara when they lived together on E Street. She was even more blessed when Andy and Rhonda invited them to live next door in their rental house that had recently been vacated and remodeled. Rhonda was the BEST daughter-in-law (and sister-in-law!!) and was always inviting Betty and Barbara over for delicious meals.
A friend has made a donation to the Glastonbury Mass Guild in Hingham, MA, so "Betty Goodyear Dotters" is now in “Perpetual Enrollment” and will be prayed for daily by the Monks of Glastonbury Abbey for as long as they exist! As my friend (and donor), Annie Reilly suggested, "this might help Betty on her journey to the ‘Light.'" May God Bless Betty always!! Thank you, Annie!
A Memorial Celebration will be held graveside at Porterville Cemetery on August 18 at 9 a.m., lead by Catholic Deacon James Dieterle. Following the burial of her ashes next to Ansel’s, friends and family are invited to Andy and Rhonda’s home to share memories, laughter and Betty’s Life Story in slides and YouTube movies. Pray that the weather is moderate, as Betty believed in moderation!
Betty's Website: Remembering Betty . . . at www.rememberingbetty.net
Ansel's Website: Remembering Ansel . . . at www.rememberingansel.net
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1. Remembering Betty – 3:36
Unforgettable – Nat "King" Cole
2. La Grange – 1:37
Chattanooga Choo Choo – Glenn Miller & his Orchestra
3. Growing up – 2:45
Over the Rainbow – Judy Garland
4. The Wedding - 2:35
The Wedding March – Piano Brothers
5. Raising the Kids – 4:07
The Wonder of you – Elvis Presley
6. Porterville – 1:12
Bonanza – Ghost Rider Orchestra
7. Just Life! – 3:09
The Best is Yet to Come – Frank Sinatra
8. The Reunions – 3:17
Sentimental Journey – Ella Fitzgerald
9. The Anniversaries – 2:12
Almost like Being in Love – Frank Sinatra
10. Best of Life! – 10:12
Medley of three – Frank Sinatra
You make me feel so Young
The very Thought of You
I've got you Under my Skin
11. Circle of Life! – 15:44
Circle of Life – Disney, Elton John
12. Annual Celebration! – 5:08
Fireworks courtesy of the New York Philharmonic
and the Music Academy of the West – Santa Barbara
13. The Service – 1:49
Amazing Grace – Joan Collins
Total Running Time: 57:23
All Rights Reserved by, Owned by, and with Mega Thanks to the respective Artists whose work is represented here.
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