Betty Lucille Groom

Betty Lucille Starbuck Groom, a resident of Albuquerque since 1964, passed from this life on September 14, 2023. She was born September 20, 1933, in Alton, Illinois, the third of three children born to John B. and Margie Pauline Starbuck. She married her “pen pal”, Joe Clint Groom on November 10, 1951 and they had three children. They enjoyed 68 years together.

Betty earned her BS in education at the University of New Mexico and taught 5^th grade at Collet Park Elementary, Sombra del Monte Elementary and John Baker Elementary in Albuquerque until she had to retire due to losing her hearing. She then volunteered at Albuquerque Christian School as a tutor for a number of years.

Betty served faithfully for over forty years as an elder’s wife. She was active in visiting the sick, telephoning people to check on them, having people into the home and she had a large card ministry. She taught Bible classes – cradle roll, third grade and fifth grade.

Joe and Betty shared a love of history and a love of travel. They visited all fifty states and all but two provinces of Canada (mostly by RV), making it all the way to the Arctic Circle. She also enjoyed eight cruises to various parts of Mexico and eight countries in Europe. Their daughter Teresa joined them on parts of many of their trips and they often took their grandchildren with them. When they were younger, they enjoyed camping.

Betty enjoyed bowling, reading, jigsaw puzzles and playing 42, Rummikub and various other board and card games. She came from a family of fierce competitors and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren always knew they had really won when they beat her.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, her beloved son, Mark, and her cherished husband, Joe. She is survived by daughters Cynthia, and her husband Steve West of Farmington, and Teresa of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Clint West and wife, Cathy of Albuquerque; Nathan West and wife, Beryl of Ogden, Utah; Stephanie Lewis and husband, Cody of Flora Vista, New Mexico; and Cole Ruckstuhl and wife, Miranda, of Lafayette, Louisiana; great-grandchildren Jessica, Daniel, Joey, Alyssa and Steven West, Annie, Aeon, Katja, Soren and Andrew Lewis, and Lena and Edward Ruckstuhl; two great-great-grandchildren Serena and Ruian Gong; numerous nieces and nephews in Illinois, Tennessee, Missouri and South Carolina including Chris Starbuck and wife Karen, Barbara Brenner and husband Bob and John Starbuck and wife Fonda.