Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Matheny

1943 - 2024

Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Matheny passed away on Mar 2, 2024 at the age of 80 after several months in hospice care.
Betsy was born November 30, 1943 in Austin, Travis Co. Texas to US Army Officer Harry Barton, Jr. and Janet Barton. She often recalled her adventures as an "Army brat", particularly in and around Fairbanks, Alaska including encounters with wildlife, berry picking, hunting and her favorite activity - fishing with her father. Betsy graduated from High School in 1961 and went to University of Colorado Boulder.
Betsy met and married Neil W. Matheny while in College in 1962. Betsy and Neil moved to Lancaster, California where Neil was employed by NASA as an aeronautical engineer. Betsy and Neil divorced but remained friends.
Betsy enjoyed a 28 year career as a Security Specialist at NASA Dryden. She found her strongest friendships with her co-workers and knew just about everyone at Dryden. Volunteering with the Employee Exchange she organized adventures and trips from deep sea fishing charters, Mammoth Mountain ski trips, to wine tasting in Temecula.
In 1985 Betsy began a friendship with Donald Borchers, and when they both retired from NASA in 2005 they traveled the world together. Betsy especially loved to sail aboard cruise ships with trips to China, Australia, and the Mediterranean among her favorites. When home in Lancaster, she and Don were avid supporters of the Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum and Community Concerts, where they served in various board positions.
Betsy was preceded in death by her love and fellow traveler Don, and is survived by her sister Barbara Person, her former husband Neil, her two children Toni and Rusty, and her five grandchildren.
There will be a remembrance on March 23, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Chapel of the Valley, 38141N. 6th Street East, Palmdale CA, 93550. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the Friends of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum.