Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Hobby passed away peacefully on July 6th, 2017 at the age of 87, in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by her family.
Betty was born on March 18, 1930 in Butte, Montana to Mary (Gaida)Peterson and Oscar Peterson. Betty was a wonderful and loving wife and mother who adored her family and grandchildren and would do anything for a friend.
Betty grew up in Meaderville, Montana in a very close Italian Catholic family and community, which is why her first language was Italian. She learned English when she was five years old. Betty continued to speak Italian throughout her life with friends and family and on her trips to Italy. Betty attended Butte High School and graduated in 1949, then attended Business school. Betty made her first trip to Europe with her Uncle, on the S.S. Independence in 1952, and again 46 years later with her daughters Pam & Gaida. If you asked Betty, the highlight of her trips was getting to see the Popes. The first time seeing Pope Pius XII at his summer home at Castel Gandolfo and the second time seeing Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.
After graduating Business school, Betty lived in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Seattle, Washington to work for the Boeing Airplane Co. It was in Cleveland where she met the love of her life, Norman Hobby of Bainville, Montana, where he was stationed at the Coast Guard 9th District Headquarters of the Great Lakes Region. Betty and Norman were married at St. Helena’s Church on December 28, 1957 in Butte, MT because Betty so loved how the church was decorated at Christmas. After the wedding Betty and Norman moved to Bozeman, Montana, for Norman to complete college and Betty worked as a cashier at Safeway. In 1960 Betty and Norman moved to Helena, Montana to plant their roots and start a family of their own.
Betty went back to work after her daughters started school. She spent several years working for the State of Montana, then later working at The First National Bank in 1977, as a Customer Service Specialist, who provided her customers financial advice on making long term investments until she retired in 1988.
Betty enjoyed spending time with Norman gardening, cooking, skiing at Big Sky, going to the cabin, and spending time with family, friends and their dogs Benji and Bella. One of Bettys’ most cherished past-times was traveling in their motor home with Norman, while getting to see nearly the entire continental United States, and stopping to visit friends and family along the way.
She will always be remembered for her smile, quick wit, sense of humor, no nonsense advice and her love of the telephone.
Betty is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Pam (Dan) Zimmerman of Las Vegas, Nevada, daughter and son-in-law Gaida (Patrick) Sandru of Boise, Idaho and her two granddaughters, Annie Hobby and Aimee Dill. She is preceded in death by her husband Norman, to whom she had been married to for 53 years, mother Mary, and father Oscar.
A Vigil Service is set for 4:00 p.m. Monday, July 17, 2017 at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave. A Funeral Mass for Betty will be held at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at Saint Mary Catholic Community with Rite of Committal to follow the Mass at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Betty.
Service Schedule
Vigil
4:00 p.m.
Monday July 17, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Tuesday July 18, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the Mass
Tuesday July 18, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Vigil
4:00 p.m.
Monday July 17, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Tuesday July 18, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the Mass
Tuesday July 18, 2017
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Rd.
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
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Chris Mash says
Betty was a great lady and really interesting to talk to. She was so proud of her family, and spoke of daughters often. I will certainly miss having her as a resident at our community, and know she is now a resident at a much better community in Heaven. We’ll all miss you, Betty!
Faun Pullin says
Betty was a great lady and had great stories. She was very proud of her girls, Pam and Gaida and talked a lot about them. She was a great friend to my mother, Jeannie Pullin and she will surely be missed. God Bless you Betty on your adventure to heaven to be with Norm. We will miss you, Betty!
You are in our thoughts and prayers!!!
Love the Pullin family,
Jeannie, Faun, Tracie, Cathy, Patti, Steve and their families
Julie Massaro says
Gaida and Family,
Our thoughts, love and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of this wonderful woman. Keep her memory alive in your hearts.
With love,
Rick and Julie Massaro
Cathy and Greg Kovich (Pullin) says
Well stated sister Faun. In the last few years, it was a privilege to visit with Betty at her home or during trips to get groceries or to doc appointments or hair appointments. If you went grocery shopping, Betty liked to take her time and visit with others This was a good lesson to step back, slow down and enjoy the adventure. Many times Betty and Jeannie would be gone for 6+ hours “getting groceries”. Betty was blessed with a loving husband and caring daughters. Her friends were true as well. Enjoy the reunion Betty. Thanks for being YOU! Our thoughts and prayers are with you Pam, Gaida and families.
Joannie Pritchard says
GAIDA AND FAMILY. MY HEART ♥️ GOES OUT TO IN YOUR LOSS.
I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I MET BETTY. I. WAS AT MARY ZIMMERMAN FUNERAL AT THE CATHEDRAL IN HELENA,MT
SHE HIRED ME TO HELP HER. USUALLY THE BEST TIME FOR. BETTY WAS AFTERNOON.
I TAKE HER SHOPPING FOR GROCERIES AT SAFEWAY. SHE REALLY LIKE USING THE RIDING. SHOPPING CART .
SOMETIMES BETTY WAS WATCHING A HALLMARK MOVIE I WOULD SIT DOWN AND WATCH IT WITH HER.
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GOES OUT TO GAIDA
Michelle Van Nice says
Gaida,
So sorry for the loss of your Mom. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Michelle Van Nice