Betty Jean Linver

Betty Linver, age 94, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, September 30 2018. Her infectious zest for life touched all fortunate enough to know and love her. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, she was a feisty precocious redhead with a strong will – called the terrible tempered Betty Jean by her older brother – and a love of chocolate. She was graduated from high school at age 16, and in 1942, at age 18, she met Joe Linver, a handsome young sailor from Detroit. She stole his heart, and they were married the next year. They remained madly in love for the next 70 years, until Joe’s death in 2013.

Betty was Joe’s anchor, with wonderful business sense, the practical one whose advice fueled Joe’s success in the scrap business in Toledo, Ohio. There they raised their family of four children, with Betty running a tight ship while Joe spent long hours at the office. With her gift of gab and engaging personality, she helped Joe win over client after client.

Joe sold his business and in 1986, Betty and Joe moved to Albuquerque to be with their older son, and his wife and family. In her new life there, she widened her circle of friends, maintained her love and support of the arts, honed her skills as the consummate cook, and continued her life-long focus on physical health, fast-walking two miles every day until last year. She never slowed down her entire life, even as dementia took its toll the past few months. She never lost her intense love of family: she was so proud of all of them and their individual talents and successes. Her Jewish faith became even more important over time as well, becoming a Bat Mitzvah at age 75, instead of the traditional age of 13.

Betty leaves a unique legacy of kindness and toughness, wisdom and courage. She loved as deeply as she was loved by others. She was as beautiful within as she was the stunning redhead externally. Betty is survived by her sister, Shirley Gaines; her two sons, Michael and Preston, and their wives, Mina Jo and Debbi; her two daughters, Janet and Rochelle, and Janet’s husband Sven; and her nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Betty will be laid to rest at a graveside service at Fairview Cemetery at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. Donations in her memory can be made to Congregation B’nai Israel or to Armada Hospice.

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