Beatrice Betty Gallegos

We bid farewell to our mother, Beatrice Betty Gallegos, who departed from this world on March 13, 2025, at the age of 91. Betty, surrounded by her loving daughters closed her eyes to the world and reopened them in the presence of the Lord as the lunar eclipse darkened the moon. Betty was born May 8,1933 in Hanford, California to Phyllis J. Reeves. She was preceded in death by her husband Tony, who absolutely adored her. She was also preceded in death by her mother Phyllis and by her father, Joseph Steven Rodriguez while she was in her mother's womb, and by her only sibling, Carmen Nix. Betty's memory will be cherished by her four beloved daughters and their families: Virginia and Johnny Luna, Lupe and Vincent Banales, Anita and Andrew Barnett and Raquel Gallegos. Betty, known as the best grandma in the world is also survived by nine loving grandchildren. Jennifer, Juan Diego, Joaquin, Andrea and Virginia Jr. (Luna), Sara and Yolanda (Banales), Drew and Alec Barnett, and twenty adoring great grandchildren and three great-great grandsons. Betty will also be missed by her much loved nieces and nephews and their families.
Betty grew up in Hanford and attended Thomas McCarthy Memorial Catholic School, graduating in 1947. She and Tony attended Hanford High School together and soon after were married and started their family. She was a homemaker, a mother and a hard worker. Although her main gig was being a mom, she also worked in the fields alongside her husband and family, migrating from the northern to the central California coasts and the central valley. Later in life, she was employed by Hanford Elementary School District for 26 years as a food server. She enjoyed interacting with the children as they passed through her lunch line.
Betty treasured her children and grandchildren. When her daughters were in elementary school, she was a room mother, whose job was to bring treats for classroom parties. She held birthday parties for her daughters, preparing delicious meals and making beautiful cakes. She was always present at parties, baptisms, graduations, weddings and other celebrations. She was supportive of and attended many activities such as open house, band performances, sports, recitals, and award ceremonies for all her grands and greats.
Betty also had several other interests and hobbies. She loved everything about Elvis. She loved his music, his look and his movies. She had a large collection of Elvis 45 rpm records and later CDs. Her home was adorned with pictures, posters and a couple life-size cardboard images of Elvis. One of her highlights was going to Graceland to experience Elvis's life history. After retiring, she traveled extensively with her husband, Tony. They often traveled throughout California, the Southwest, Texas and Mexico. They especially enjoyed visiting the Missions and the nearby casinos. Other hobbies included reading mystery and horror story paperback books, playing scrabble and card games.
Betty was an animal lover. Throughout her life she was mom to hundreds of cats and many dogs ranging from dachshunds to German Shepards. She even celebrated her pets' birthdays each year. Betty was a creative and skilled crochet artist. She crocheted bedspreads for all her children and grandchildren and friends. Whenever a baby was born, it received a crocheted baby blanket lovingly made by her hands. In addition, she won numerous awards for her crochet entries at the Kings District Fair. Most important to her was her faith in the Lord. She regularly attended Holy Mass and was a Catechism teacher for Immaculate of Mary Catholic Church. She favored St. Therese of Lisieux and her life reflected it by her own "little ways" of everyday acts of love.
Viewing will be on Monday March 31st from 8:30-9:30am immediately followed by the Holy Rosary at Whitehurst McNamara Funeral Home, 100 W Bush St. Hanford Ca 93230. Holy Mass will begin at 10:30am at St. Brigid Catholic Church followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery.
We, Betty's daughters, Virginia, Lupe, Anita and Raquel extend our appreciation for the kind and supportive messages and cards, flowers, and the love we have been receiving from family and friends. The family suggests that instead of flowers, a donation to the Kings County SPCA would have been Betty's wish. Donations: kingsspca.org or PO Box 2045, Hanford, CA 93232.
A fellowship in celebration of Betty's life will be held at the St. Brigid Youth Center, 319 N. Harris Street, Hanford, CA following the services.
"Now cracks a noble heart. Goodnight, sweet princess; And flights of angels sing thee to they rest."
William Shakespeare, Hamlet
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