Betty Barrow

1925 - 2025

Betty Jensen Barrow, age 100 years old and one month exactly, left this life on May 16, 2025. She was born on April 15, 1925, to Willis Clifford and Eulalia Hyde Jensen. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Omer, two older sisters, Marvis Fife and Donna Stoddard, one younger sister, JeriAnn Gunnel, as well as an infant brother, Jack. Betty married Omer Nielson Barrow on April 10, 1950, in the Salt Lake City Temple. Together, they lived in Gridley, California until Omer's passing in 1995. Here, they had a family of five children: Bradley, Tawnia, Valerie, Lynette, and Mathew. Betty's family was the joy of her life, and she built a loving relationship with each one of them.

Betty was born in Salt Lake City, UT and lived in Metropolis, NV, for 12 years, having many fond childhood memories and being surrounded by family and friends. Her father was a schoolteacher there. She was a good student and skipped 8th grade when she moved to California and began high school in Gridley.

During WWII, Betty spent time in San Francisco, living with her sister, Donna, doing clerical work. This was an exciting part of her life, and she has many fond memories of this time. In later years she used her clerical talent by keeping books for Brad's and Dale's, companies into her late 80's, keeping her mind sharp.

Betty served a mission to Alberta, Canada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She continued throughout her life to serve in many leadership positions in the church and community. She had a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In her later years, Betty enjoyed traveling occasionally with family. She was an avid reader and had an extensive library of favorite books. She loved music as well and often had the stereo playing. She loved to sew, knit, crochet, and quilt. Her skill with a needle is legendary, and most of her great grandchildren have a beloved lap quilt of her making, given to them at the Bear Lake Reunion. She knitted afghans and sweaters for anyone who asked. She sewed aprons for family and friends. The last few years Betty hurried to finish beautiful Christmas socks for many members of the family. Betty also had a great love for her garden, particularly the beautiful roses and peonies along the driveway.

She was a wonderful wife and mother, making good meals, caring for the home and children. She made bread and canned during the season, and of course, cookies. Betty survived Typhoid Fever, Open Heart Surgery, Breast Cancer and Melanoma. She recently enjoyed celebrating her 100th birthday in Utah and Gridley where she visited with many loved ones.

Betty was playful and made it a point to be happy and optimistic. She lived in Legacy Assisted Living in Utah for one and a half years and made some wonderful friendships.

Playing cards was one of her favorite pastimes. In fact, Betty walked to the playing table on her last night and enjoyed a game of cards with some of her children, before quietly passing from this life in the morning.

At her passing, many residents and people working at Legacy said that Betty was a wonderful addition to their community. They said, "she was the light of the assisted living home; she was special; she was a loved friend, and they had a difficult time saying goodbye."

She was dearly loved and will be missed.

Betty was predeceased by her husband Omer Nielson Barrow. She is survived by her sons, Bradley Jensen Barrow (spouse Sharon), Mathew Omer Barrow, (spouse Michelle), and daughters Tawnia Singleton (spouse Larry), Valerie Butterfield (spouse Gordon), and Lynette (spouse Dale), 22 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren, with more to come.

The funeral will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 400 Spruce Street, Gridley, CA, on May 29th at 10 a.m. Interment of the body will be at GridleyBiggs Cemetery District.