Betty Pettit

Betty Ann Pettit passed away Tuesday January 13, 2026 at the age of 95. Born on January 9, 1931, in Los Angeles, CA, she was the 4th child of parents Olin Daniel Dain and Ethel Valera Hansen. Betty lived her early years during the Great Depression, learning to make do with very little. As a young girl, her family lived in someone's garage for several months while her parents prepared to build a home. Having little growing up helped Betty to appreciate success later in life and empathize with those less fortunate.

After graduating from high school, Betty enrolled at Brigham Young University where she was elected class secretary. After a year she returned home to El Monte, CA because the cost of college was too heavy for her family. Betty then attended Pasadena City College. While attending college, she met Thomas H Pettit, at an LDS Church dance, with whom she started a close friendship. They corresponded for a few years during his missionary service in the France Swiss Mission, and for two years while he attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. They married in June 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Dr. Pettit graduated from medical school in June 1954 which coincided with the birth of their eldest son, Tom Jr.

Betty and Tom subsequently lived in Philadelphia, PA, San Clemente, CA, St. Louis, MO, Mill Valley, CA, and West LA, CA, while Dr. Tom Pettit completed his medical training; internship, residency, and post graduate studies in ophthalmology. During this time, five more children were born to the Pettit family. Eventually Dr. Tom and Betty settled in Tarzana, CA where they raised their six children for the next 15 years. Dr. Tom taught in the UCLA Medical School and served as the Assistant Director of the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. In 1979, Dr. Tom and Betty moved to West LA with their daughters Drucilla, Elizabeth and Kristen, to be closer to Dr. Tom's work.

Dr. Tom retired in 1991 whereupon Betty and Tom relocated to Temecula, CA. For 11 years they spent winters in Temecula and summers in Provo, UT. In 2002 Betty and Tom moved year round to Provo, UT when Tom's Alzheimer's and Parkinson's became too much for Betty to manage on her own. Betty had 4 children living in the Provo, UT area who could help her. Dr. Tom passed away in March 2005.

In March 2007, after a months-long courtship, Betty married Gerald (Jerry) Boyenger. Jerry was an acquaintance and extended family member through Tom Jr.'s wife Janae's family. Betty and Jerry shared a passion for art, music, classic Hollywood movies, and BYU football and baseball. Jerry was a wonderful, faithful, and devoted companion, who provided love and support to Betty during her golden years. This relationship endured for 14 years, until September 2021 when Betty and Jerry contracted COVID-19; Betty survived and Jerry passed away. The Pettit family is forever grateful to Jerry Boyenger and his family for the love and support they provided to Betty.

Betty spent the majority of her life in the service of others. She was a good friend to all, creative and loving. Above all, she was a disciple of Jesus Christ, full of creativity, and an extraordinary talent that shone through all aspects of her life. Her journey of 95 years was a rich tapestry woven with threads of kindness, compassion, and an unyielding faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Betty was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many ward and stake callings; teacher, Primary leader as counselor and president, Young Women's teacher, and Relief Society teacher and president. Her faith was an integral part of her life and served as her guiding influence. In the 1970s, Betty found her true calling and passion in counseling and helping others, emphasizing forgiveness. Her empathy led her to write a book, several articles, and publicly speaking on forgiveness and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Betty served as a beacon of hope and faith for many women, men, and children, helping them deal with troubled personal and family relationships. Her consulting work in family counseling was not just an avocation, but a manifestation of her deep-rooted desire to help others. As said in the Book of Mormon, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17), and Betty lived this verse every day.

Betty was also a woman of diverse interests. She became a talented painter in oils and watercolors. Betty was a talented seamstress, sewing clothes for herself and daughters. Betty was a writer and singer, frequently sharing those talents. She enjoyed hiking, swimming and skiing, skiing into her 70's. Betty lived life to the fullest. A loyal fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and BYU Cougars football team, Betty's enthusiasm was inspiring and brought joy to everyone around her.

A loving mother and a dedicated wife, Betty's family was the cornerstone of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Olin Dain and Ethel Hansen Dain, her sisters Aleen Dain, and Donna Snow (Karl), her brothers Alan Dain and Brad Dain, and her husbands, Dr. Tom Pettit and Gerald Boyenger. She is survived by her sister Frances Cloward (Gordon, deceased), and children, Tom Pettit Jr (Janae), Heather Johnson (Roger), Daina Pettit (Laura), Dru Christiansen, Libbi Jeppesen (Garen) and Kristen Gunsay.

A visitation will be held at 10 am on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Edgemont Stake Center, followed by funeral services at 11 am. Interment will occur at 12:30 pm at Eastlawn Memorial Cemetery next to her late husband, Dr. Tom Pettit. As we bid farewell to Betty, we celebrate her life that was filled with love, compassion, and a spirit of service. We encourage friends and family to share their memories and upload photos of Betty to the memorial page. Let us remember Betty for the loving, empathetic, creative, and talented soul she was. Her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us for generations to come.

The funeral services will be broadcast. Please go to the Nelson Family Mortuary website for the link to the broadcast. A recording of the funeral service will also be available.