Elizabeth “Betty” June Nash, 91

Elizabeth “Betty” June Nash passed away Monday, Jan. 1, 2021, attended by her loving daughter and dedicated cats. Betty was born on Sept. 19, 1929, in Pueblo, CO, the daughter of Pleasant and Florence Edwards. She graduated from Pueblo Midwest Business College in the early 1950s where she met and married Max E. Nash in 1953, in Pueblo, Colorado While their courtship was three months long and Max really needed to get married before he had to plant the spuds, their marriage was a source of endearing stories that epitomized Betty’s zest for life and lasted for 57 years. We really don’t know how! Betty’s life was dedicated to family and friends, hard work, unending humor, and an upbeat outlook on life. She was not afraid of hard work and quickly pitched in where needed. She farmed with Max, raising sheep, pigs, chickens, rabbits, cattle, alfalfa and potatoes; and would often hold down three jobs just to make the farm payment. She held wide ranging secretarial and bookkeeping positions in the valley, including implement dealerships, grocery and food service stores, Rio Grande County Clerk’s office, and the CSU Extension Office. She drove the school bus and waited tables to ensure her children would get a good education. Mama was a strict parent when we were kids. We were scared to get in trouble. She expected us to do chores, go to church and finish school. She put food on our table and expected us to eat it. She put clothes on our backs, and we were proud to wear them. She taught Carl how to play Basketball, and Tom how to pull lambs. She taught Kim how to tease her brothers, and we all learned to do our best, follow our dreams and make something amazing out of our lives. We grew up with morals, respect for the law and our elders, and pride for our country. Oh, and most important she taught us to never stop smiling. We laughed, we cried. We wouldn’t change one thing about it. Tom, Kim and Carl grew up knowing Mom was there to help us realize our goals. She was an active 4-H leader and helped organize the “Singing 4-Her’s.” Mom was a loud cheerleader for Carl’s sporting career and a funny house mother when their friends came to visit (or rather - came to eat.) She celebrated when her children graduated from college and encouraged success in our careers and family lives. She put her smiling attitude on everything we did. She gave us confidence to be our best, and told Carl that if he missed another curfew, he would be sent to Military school. Betty never turned down an offer to fish in the mountains, pack and enjoy a picnic lunch, watch the kids at the Sand Dunes, or sit a while to listen to the wind in the trees and sip wine coolers. Betty never met a stranger, as she easily made friends wherever she went. Those who called her friend enjoyed her loyalty in good times and bad. This included her many feline and canine companions that found sanctuary in her home and heart. Her spirited attitude and tenacity will long influence her family and friends to appreciate the funny side of any experience and will long be a credit to her loving influence on us all. We will all remember her infectious sense of humor and her obvious love of “mouse tattoos.” Betty is survived by her three children, Thomas (Marilyn) Nash of Savoy IL, Kim (Keith) Schuett of Del Norte, and Carl Nash of St. Simon’s Island Georgia Just when Betty thought she was too old to fall in love again, she became a grandmother, and her five grandkids stole not only her heart, but also spent most of her money; Kendrick (Nancy) Schuett, Kiel (Megan) Schuett, Rosemary (Shawn) Nash-Waskowiak, Kenton (Brittany) Schuett, and Amanda (Shaun) Nash-Patel, and her 6 and counting, great-grandchildren, all of whom gave her unending joy and great pride. If you want to, you can look for Betty in the evening sunset or with the earliest spring daffodils or amongst the flitting and fluttering butterflies. You know she’ll be there in one form or another. Of course, that will comfort some while making others laugh, but that was Betty! Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa is handling arrangements. The family plans to have a memorial celebration of Betty’s life in the future where friends and family can gather to laugh and reminisce about the richness Betty gave to our lives. To express condolences to Betty’s family please visit RogersFunerals.com.