Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Betty Blackburn Mott was born in Portland, Oregon. She had two sisters, Barbara Jean and Carol. Barbara Jean was four years her elder, while Carol was fifteen years younger. Carol lives today in New Mexico with her husband Rick. Betty's great-great grandparents were the founders of the Pendleton Woolen Mills in Pendleton, Oregon.

Before Betty met Don, she lived in Stockton, California. In her spare time, her father encouraged her to pursue equestrian activities with her horse, "Sunny." She rode him in parades as well as entered him in equestrian jumping and arena barrel racing. This represented a special time in her life as she was able to do this with her dad. Her father used to call her "sunshine" when she was little because of her bubbling personality. They had a very close relationship as he encouraged her interests.

Betty later met Don Blackburn in Compton, California, at the age of 13. Don was so taken by her that he wanted to marry her right on the spot. But, Don was only 15-years-old. Betty's mom stepped in and said, "No way. You have to wait until you're 19." Don joined the Navy and after he was discharged, he asked for Betty's hand when she was 19. The couple married and moved to Lakewood, built their home and raised their boys. She lived in Lakewood for over 50 years.

Betty worked for Powerene Oil in Santa Fe Springs, California, for 31 years. She was the Accounts receivable Department Supervisor, while she also was an events planner for foreigners who visited. She took them to the best restaurants and to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. She was quite a lady who would go out in high heels and put on a hard hat. She was definitely a cultured lady who had a zest for life. She enjoyed evenings at the theater as well as camping and competing in the National Racing Association's sanctioned sand drag racing with Don. Later, after Don passed, she met Jack. Both Don and Jack were friends for over 30 years. They had worked together in the construction industry during that time. Unfortunately, when Betty met Jack, tragedy had befallen them both. Jack had lost his wife after an extended bought with cancer about the same time Betty was caring for Don. After a time of bereavement, the two became friends.

Jack often laid roses on the hood of her Cadillac in the morning before work. He also sent flowers to her office. Betty took Jack under her wing and introduced him to the finer points of life. She introduced him to the theater and taught him how to dress like a gentleman. The couple always felt comfortable and at ease together. They had good conversations and were very compatible. When the couple went to Laughlin, Jack got down on one knee and proposed. She said, "Yes." The couple dated for a year. Betty went to City Hall and set up their wedding, got a minister, found a harpist and 150 attended as the couple married in May 1990 at the Clark Estates Mansion in Santa Fe Springs. After their wedding, they stayed at the hotel Jack worked on, up on the 8th floor; then they enjoyed a honeymoon taking an Alaskan Princess Cruise.

The couple camped, fished, and traveled together. They traveled all over in the motor home for a month at a time for 12 years. They traveled more than 35,000 miles together to places such as Palm Springs and Pismo Beach to race sand dunes. Over the years, Jack wrote her loving poems as he is an excellent writer. He also wrote a memorial poem to his departed classmates from Excelsior High School. Betty and Jack planted memorial roses at the high school for everyone who had died. At Christmas, the couple decorated a big tree every year and decorated it with ornaments. She belonged to the Civic Light Opera in Long Beach and the couple attended "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" where they met Debbie Reynolds and Mickey Rooney. She enjoyed taking Jack on surprise weekends to Santa Barbara and San Diego. She enjoyed listening to country western music. She liked singers Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, and Perry Como. Her favorite flowers were orchids, but she also liked roses. She loved collecting bears. Her favorite color was mauve and she loved to shop for nice clothes. Betty was an excellent cook as her mother taught her how to cook. When Jack ordered a Wild Turkey at Black Angus, she ordered a Mari-Up. They always kept it to one drink. She collected Betty Boop memorabilia. She loved her time with Jack, even putting a pink balloon on his truck that said, "I love you." She always said, "I love you."

The year 2004 was very difficult for Betty as she lost her sister, Barbara Jean, whom she held in her arms as she died. Her mother died that year. It was difficult for her when Megan, her 10-year-old Schnauzer, also died. She and Jack soon adopted a Schnauzer they named Molly.

Before her illness, Jack and Betty spent all their available time together, enjoying each other's company. In the end, he fulfilled his promise to take care of her until the end. He was laying alongside her as she passed away in her sleep.

As with many others, she brought happiness to Jack's life. Betty was considered by all to be a very special lady. She will leave a big hole in the hearts of all the people she had touched in her time. She will be remembered as giving, generous, and a kind people person who treated others with respect. She had the prettiest smile and a twinkle in her eyes. Jack will miss everything about her. If it hadn't been for God and Hospice, he couldn't have taken care of her for the last four years. He is grateful for their help and support.

As she believed in God and Heaven, Jack believes she is now at peace and one day he'll be reunited with her. He said, "God made her a special representative angel because she had those good qualities of an angel." At her request, she will be buried next to her first husband. After Jack lays a single rose atop her casket, she will be buried with a photo of her and Don, a photo of her and Jack, and a bottle of her favorite perfume, Magie Noire by Lancome.

She is survived by her two sons Gary and Randy from her first marriage to Donald Blackburn of 40 years, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty is also survived by second husband of 19 years, Jack Mott.

Memorial donations are welcome in Betty’s name to Heartland Hospice www.hcr-manorcare.com.

A special note of thanks to those at Heartland Hospice for the comfort, aid, and support they gave to those of us at the crossroads of our lives, a most trying time. Thank you for the help we received from those who came to our house for Betty:

-Our loving hospice nurse Leslie
-Karina our personal nurse
-Juanita who provided Betty with meticulous care
-Betty's hair dresser Candy
-Ana who gave Betty love and care
-God Bless Chaplin John Cole and my friend Glen Alley for his loving support
-Our dentist, veterinarian, neighbors and friends
-Thanks to Henry and Demi, Betty's boss and his wife who were very nice to her
-Thanks to Nini who worked with Betty and was so kind
-And to Mel Guy, Don and Betty's dear friend of many years who helped Don start his career
-A sincere thanks from Jack Mott and the Blackburn family

If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the Silent Way, grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you there
(I'd come – I'd come, could I but find a way! But would not tears and grief be barriers?)
And when you hear a song or see a bird I loved,
Please do not let the thought of me be sad…
For I am loving you just as I always have…
You were so good to me!
There are so many things I wanted still to do – so many things to say to you…
Remember that I did not fear…
It was just leaving you that was so hard to face…
We cannot see Beyond…
But this I know: I loved you so – 'twas heaven here with you!