Betty A. Luce, 82

Betty A. Luce, 82, passed away Sept. 12, 2009, in Seattle, while undergoing treatment for complications of her long and courageous battle with leukemia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Ethel Rabideau; brothers, Quentin and Norman Rabideau; and her husband of 52 years, Bob Luce.

Betty is survived by her much loved companion of the last 10 years, Al Paine; her son, Larry Luce, and wife, Char; her daughter, Sandy Christian, and husband, Jim; grandsons, Lee Luce, Jay Dusterhoff and Alex Luce; her brother, Francis Rabideau, and wife, Eva; numerous nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Betty devoted her life to her family and friends, always there to lift us back to our feet when we fell. Legions of valley residents referred to her as Mom or Grandma Sweetheart. She loved unconditionally and cared for everyone she met, and they all loved her back.

Her "Eagles Family" was very special to her and she always enjoyed spending time with them. Her joy and zest for life was infectious and everyone knew the event would be fun if Betty was there. She was a charter member of the North Valley Eagles Auxiliary and was instrumental in their early success, holding many local offices. She received many state Eagle honors for her dedication and service. She was especially proud of her State Mother status.

She also loved to travel and made several cross country trips with her now deceased husband, Bob, and his sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Larry Craft. Later she became a snow bird with her significant other, Al, spending winters in southern California and summers at her home in Columbia Falls.

Betty will be loved and missed by everyone who had the good fortune to know her.

Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, with a gathering after the service to celebrate her life at the North Valley Eagles. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia Falls. Visitation is from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21.