Betty Ann Young Payne Blythe passed away in Gold Canyon, Arizona on January 7, 2019 from scalp melanoma. She was 71 years old.
Betty Ann Young was born to Harry Audry Young and Theresa Arcand Young Bjella on August 2, 1947 in Williston, ND. She married Jack W. Payne in 1969. From this union, two children were born: Brian and Andrea. In 2005, Betty married Richard “Dick” Dawes Blythe in Billings, MT.
As a young child, Betty helped her mother in the Epping Café in Epping, ND. In her teen years, she played the pump organ at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Betty received her Bachelor of Science degree from Minot State University and was proud that she graduated in three years. She began her teaching career at Fromberg High School where she taught business education and home economics.
She worked as a stenographer for the Montana State Highway Department in Billings and retired from teaching adult education at the Lincoln Center for Billings School District #2 in 2004. After retirement, she instructed computer classes at the Billings Community Center for the City of Billings.
During her career, Betty observed the world change as business equipment moved from manual typewriters to the computer. She loved and cared about her students and will be remembered for making education fun while working toward the goals of the students.
Betty served as a Eucharist minister, played the organ, piano, taught CCD and confirmation at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.
For ten years, Betty was a snowbird, enjoying the view of the Superstition Mountains from her backyard in MountainBrook Village, Gold Canyon, Arizona. Sightings of cardinals and other wildlife filled her with joy, peace and happiness.
Betty is survived by her husband Dick of Billings and Arizona; her children: LtCol (Ret) Brian Payne (Melissa) and grandsons Dylan, Drew, and Dustin, Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter Andrea Payne and grandson Maguire, Billings, Montana; and son, Theodore Serbo, Goodyear, Arizona.
Survivors also include: sister, Mary Jean Moen (Orrin), Lisle, Illinois; brothers, Robert Young (Mary), Danbury, Connecticut; and Dr. John Young (Dianne), Bakersfield, California.
Surviving Blythe children and grandchildren include: Scott Blythe (Krista) and grandsons, Richard Andrew Blythe and Chad Haney, Portland, Oregon, and granddaughter Walker Blythe Peters Meyer (Ben), Billings, Montana.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Lloyd Bjella; grandparents, Robert R. and Ida Stuff Young; and Lucien and Emma Bellmare Arcand and stepdaughter Leslie Blythe.
There will be a Celebration of her Life on a beautiful spring day in Montana once all of her snowbird friends return. The date has yet to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the MD Anderson Cancer Treatment Center in Gilbert, Arizona.
Dear Brian, Andrea and Dick,
Our hearts go out to you. We followed Betty’s journey on Facebook and we thank you for those postings. You all did such a beautiful job caring for her. We have kept her in our daily prayers and will continue to lift you up. May God’s peace be with you.
Love & Prayers,
Jim & Patte Paquette
Betty will always be remembered by her gentle heart, her smile and her glorious laughter.RIP Betty. You were our most favorite Baby sitter. Pam, Cheryl and Kelly Cote’
May she rest in peace. She fought a hard battle. My sympathy, thoughts & prayers to all the family. She will be missed, she was a grand lady. I was friends with her & Jack many yrs ago & shared Super Bowl parties with them. Many great memories to ponder. They’re precious now.
Sharon Phillips
Andrea
We are sad to hear of your beautiful mothers passing but we know that you have many wonderful memories to hold on to.
Blessings to you and your family.
Marty & Gretchen Heller
Dick,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Betty was such a sweet, wonderful woman.
I am grateful I got to see you both recently.
My hugs and prayers are with you!
Mary
Our prayers are with the Payne family. I remember Betty when she was teaching at the Garfield when it was the Adult Learning Center. Betty was my English teacher for a refresher class. Betty also stood in at St. Bernard’s church for the baptism of our son in 1980. I will always remember Betty as a saint.
Dick:
We were so sorry to hear Betty lost her battle with cancer. She fought a good fight, but now the pain is over. She was a warrior, a gentle spirit, full of fun, and a great encourager to others.
Praying now for God’s comfort and peace as you adjust to this difficult time.
In Love Roger and Eleanor
Dear Andrea,
I’m saddened, hearing about the loss of your mom. I still think of her often, even though, I’ve not seen her for years. I was in her computer class at the Lincoln Center, just about the time you had your first baby. She was ecstatic! I would go over to her house and she would show me the Baby Einstein stuff she was going to teach him as he got bigger. She was the neatest lady! We had some fun for sure. We were always laughing about something. She was single at that time and wanted so much to find that special someone. I’m glad she finally found him and was able to live happily ever after. My heart goes out to you and your family. We were all so blessed to have her in our lives. She is in GODS hands now, Until we meet again Betty.
So sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. We were neighbors of hers for many years and always were amazed by her rosy outlook and bubbly personality. She touched many lives in a very positive way and is a real loss for this world. Our hearts go out to her family.