While the family was planning her 100th birthday party next December, the Lord had other plans for Betty Battista. She passed away at 99, on March 15, 2022 at home, with family surrounding her as her 2 year old great-granddaughter sang “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” to her.
Betty’s funeral service was held on March 31, with Father Seth Kellerman officiating at Hooper & Weaver Mortuary. A reception followed, and private family burial was held at Greenwood Memorial Gardens after the reception.
Betty Bennett Battista was born to William Bennett and Hazel (Tierney) Bennett on Dec. 31, 1922, in Grass Valley, part of a five-generation family of Nevada County.
Betty graduated from Grass Valley High School in 1941, and married her high school sweetheart, Tavio Battista on July 4, 1942. They were married for almost 74 years when Tavio passed away in 2015.
Betty’s main focus throughout her life was her family, raising 3 children in the home Tavio built. The home was always a gathering place for the children; grandma to 6, great-grandma to 14, and great-great-grandma to 12, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty loved playing golf, a past member of the Nevada County Country Club. She was a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
She loved gardening, cooking, and doing jigsaw and crossword puzzles. She loved phone calls from her family. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, rooting on their teams, even up to a few weeks before her death.
Betty will be missed by her family and friends, but we have great memories and photos of her, to keep her spirit alive. She was always the family cheerleader.
Left to carry on Betty’s legacy are her children: daughters Nancy Deter of Grass Valley, Christine Powers (Don) of Longview, WA, and son, Dan Battista (Mary) of Dobbins; along with the numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Betty now joins her Heavenly family. Her parents, five siblings: Marian Brown, Maxine Colvin, Billie Foote, Vivian Muschetto, and George Bennett, and most of all her beloved husband, Tavio.
Memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s name to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Hospice of the Foothills, or your favorite charity.
Arrangements were under the direction of Hooper & Weaver Mortuary.