Betty Lou Mandery

Betty Lou Mandery
Betty Lou Mandery age 83 passed away at her home in East Marysville on April 22nd, 2015. Born April 20th 1932, she was preceded in death by her father Leon C. Saylors, mother Grace Saylors, her sister Virginia Lauff and her late husband Gavin Mandery. She is survived by her daughter Debbe Darrough-Nelson from Rio Oso, son David W. Darrough from San Jose, grandchildren Eelan Colten Nelson, Taylore Nicole Darrough, Brooke Lee Darrough and her faithful companion a Shih-Tzu dog named Mikki.

She has been member of the United Methodist Church in Marysville where she was married to Jim Darrough in 1952. Betty also belonged to the Yuba City Racquet club, Yuba Historical Society, Mary Aaron Museum and Pink Ladies of Rideout Hospital.

Betty lived her entire life in the Yuba City / Marysville area and attended Marysville High School and Yuba College.

She learned to ride horses at the age of 3. At 12 years old she started performing as a professional trick rider in county fairs and rodeos. Betty taught herself how to trick ride with help from her father Leon Saylors who was a professional calf roper. Father and daughter as a team would travel throughout the western and mid-western states performing with stars and future movie stars such as Slim Pickens, Ben Johnson, Casey Tibbs, Roy Rogers, Buff Brady and Gene Autry. Betty had two horses "Dilly" and her back up horse she bought from Gene Autry called "Micky". Betty continued to professionally trick ride until she was 4 months pregnant at the age of 22.

Later in life Betty was married to Gavin Mandery who died in 1984. Betty and Gavin enjoyed a great life in Marysville. Gavin was co-owner of Daoust Chevrolet. Gavin was a well-known pubic figure and Mayor of Marysville. Betty and Gavin were very active at Beale Air Force Base with various community activities which supported stationed Air Force members and their families resulting in many relationships lasting many years. Together they hosted annual cocktail parties for the Chinese community festival "Bok Kai" welcoming in the new Hostess and Grand Marshal. During the peak of Marysville's prosperity period, Betty was one of the leading ladies. She was an ambassador that promoted Yuba Counties' qualities and influenced many business operators. When she decided to help someone, she did with her whole heart. Betty was straight forward, self-reliant woman that had a service heart. She was a woman without boundaries, a true inspiration. When Marysville residents look back fondly on the great days, Betty was part of that genesis. Not since that time has someone had an impact on this community like she did.

Betty and her family enjoyed house boating and water skiing at Englebright Dam (The Narrows), Bullard's Bar, Oroville Lake, and her favorite, Lake Tahoe. Betty was well known for teaching many family members and friends how to water ski. At age 40 she and Gavin (then 53) decided to learn together how to play tennis. Betty became avid and accomplished tennis player and enjoyed participating in tennis matches at the Yuba City Racket Club. She belonged to a group of wonderful women tennis players young and old attending tennis matches and monthly luncheons. Then at the age of 52 she took up snow skiing in the Lake Tahoe area.

Betty was a Beautiful woman, a loving and giving wife, Mother, and Grandmother. She was a good friend to many and everything she did, she did in moderation.

In the giving style with which she lived her life, she always wanted to help someone. Her desire was to have her remains sent to SCIENCE CARE a whole body donor program for medical research and education at teaching universities in the USA.

The family would like to recognize with heart filled gratitude, Sandy Bremmer, who was Betty's main caregiver and very good friend. Sandy cared for Betty at her home, at assisted living and hospital visits.

Our family wishes to pass along sincere Thank you to Sharon Rosebrough and Bailey Gasaway for their kind and loving care they shared with Betty throughout her last month.

A grave side memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 20th, at Sierra View Cemetery Marysville California. Following the cemetery service, a "Celebration of Life" gathering will be held at Betty's East Marysville home for family members and friends.

In a lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice or the 'Eason Cody Nelson Scholarship Fund' at 4615 Bear River Drive, Rio Oso, CA. 95674 (deceased grandson 2008)

She had a great ride, left her mark on many, she was a tuff and wonderful person, succeeded as a parent, brought joy to her children, grandchildren and many others. She was a loving and gracious lady.

As Betty would say….."Life Is Good"

Send Condolences at

www.appealdemocrat.com