Betti Cuddy

Longtime Alaskan pioneer Betti Cuddy, 85, died peacefully Jan. 13, 2010, at home surrounded by her family.

A service will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the First Presbyterian Church, 616 W. 10th Ave.

She was born in O'Neill, Neb., on July 21 1924. Upon graduation from Doane University, she taught high school biology, English and Spanish. In the early 1940s, she moved to Seattle, where she began her career at the Bank of California. She met the love of her life, Dan Cuddy, on a blind date and the love grew into a marriage that lasted 62 years.

They built a life in Anchorage, where she was extremely involved in community activities.

Betti was the consummate teacher. She strove to provide opportunities for the children of Anchorage to learn and grow. She founded the organization, Treasures of Sight and Sound (TOSS), which was a precursor to community schools, and paved the way for local theatre productions. She continued to be a prolific patron of Anchorage arts, especially the theatre, and served as a board member of Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.

The community recognized Betti with many awards, such as the Gold Pan Award in 1972.

Anchorage directly benefited from her energy and drive with the development of the Lucy Cuddy Center at the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Cuddy Midtown Park.

Betti was an avid tennis player well into her 80s. She treasured the time and adventures she had with "The Tennis Girls."

Betti always said that her most important role was that of a wife and mother.

Betti is survived by her husband, Dan; their six children and their spouses, Betsy and David Lawer, David and Kathy Cuddy, Gretchen Cuddy, Jane and Gary Klopfer, Lucy and Mark Mahan, Laurel and Fred Stutzer; many grandchildren; three nieces and their families.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations either to Betti Cuddy Trust for Cuddy Family Charities, First National Bank Alaska account 30820765, or to the UAA Lucy Cuddy Culinary Arts School fund, account 20897.