Betty Ann Swindler, age 64 of Helena, passed away February 27, 2011. She was born on May 21, 1946 to Alvin F. and Esther Armbruster in Charleroi, Pennsylvania.
Most recently, Betty started working at the Department of Revenue in Helena. She also worked at Goodwill in Helena and at Richland County Health Department in South Carolina.
She graduated from Butte High School and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Wesley University in Columbia, South Carolina.
She was involved in volunteering for the American Red Cross and the Special Olympics, and worked on the phones and in the dunking booth for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon in South Carolina.
She loved cheering on the Helena Bighorns Ice Hockey team, as well as supporting her Helena baseball teams. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching her favorite movies with her cats on her lap while knitting or sewing. She also loved playing Bingo and was a huge wrestling fan.
Betty was the proud mother of a son, Alvin (Keri) Swindler and a daughter, Dawna (Don) Pace. She is also survived by her father, Alvin; three sisters, Sandy Gee, Doris Phillips and Judy Armbruster; two nieces, and three nephews. Grandchildren, Genevieve, age 12, Owen, age 10, and Patrick, age 8 also survive her. Betty was greeted in heaven by her mother, Esther Armbruster and her brother, Robert Armbruster.
“I could always ask her opinion on anything. I may not have always agreed with her opinion, but she was always honest. She always believed that telling someone the truth could save someone a lot of heartbreak. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. While she was never very well off, she would always give you the shirt off of her back. She enjoyed spending time with family, whether it was just having a game night with my sister and I or going on a fishing trip to Hauser Lake. When I was nine years old, my mom, grandmother, Aunt Doris, my sister, two of my cousins, Frank and Jordan all went on a fishing trip. When Aunt Doris had caught a fish, it decided to fight back. My mom grabbed a small net, got in the water, and netted the fish. While walking on the shore bank, she stepped on some loose gravel and her feet went out from under her. She landed on the ground with the fish hitting her in the face with its tail. Everyone was laughing the whole time. I will always remember and miss the little things that she did for the family while keeping her sense of humor.”
~Love Always, Alvin
Earl Fred says
Sorry to hear about Betty. I worked with Betty at the Dept. of Administration. Very nice lady. She will be greatly missed.
James Baker says
I’m sorry to hear of you’re loss. I work at Best Bet and Betty will be missed dearly! I always loved her sense of humor, and cracking jokes with her… You are in my thoughts and prayers…