BETTY JO BOTTARI

1928 - 2012

Mrs. Betty Jo Bottari, an 11-year residence of Mount Vernon, WA, died May 28, 2012 in the loving arms of her children Melanie Bottari, and Nello Bottari, at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Betty passed away immediately after receiving the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick by Father Raphael Mary Salzillo.

Betty was born March 22, 1928 in Lebanon, MO, the daughter of John Q. Davis and Florine Esther Davis. In 1945, her senior year, her family moved to the San Francisco Bay area of California where Betty graduated from Richmond High School.

After high school, Betty worked in San Francisco for a few years before moving to Los Angeles where she worked as a legal secretary.

In the mid 1950s she met and subsequently married Nello Antonio Bottari and converted to the Roman Catholic faith upon her marriage.

In 1966 Betty moved to Las Vegas, NV with her two children to be where her brother, mother, and a sister were living.

Betty went back to school and earned her Bachelor of Science in Education, with a major in English and a minor in art. She worked as an English and art teacher until she retired.

In 1987, Betty and her daughter Melanie moved to Seattle, and in 2001 Betty moved to Mount Vernon because she loved the area so much. Her son and daughter re-located to Mount Vernon shortly afterward to be closer to their mother.

Betty had many hobbies and interests. She was an expert seamstress, created her own clothing patterns, and often supplemented the family income with her sewing skills. She was an avid reader of mystery novels and had a large collection of books in a variety of topics. She loved cameos and collected vintage jewelry. She loved to paint and pencil sketch. She loved to garden and was constantly looking for flowers and trees to add to her yard. Her most treasure possessions were those special items she inherited from her loved ones such an antique sewing basket from her grandmother, a vintage clock from her brother, and quilt tops hand sewn by her mother.

Above all Betty was a loving, gentle, and devoted mother. Her life revolved around her children and theirs around her.

Betty is survived by her son Nello Alexander Bottari of Mount Vernon, daughter Melanie Anne Bottari of Mount Vernon, sister Bonnie M. Davis of Las Vegas, NV, and niece Deanna Elmore Wheeler of Lebanon, MO.

She was preceded in death by her husband Nello Antonio Bottari, her parents John and Florine Davis, sister and brother-in-law Bernice and Dean Elmore; brother Calvin F. Davis; and maternal grandparents Rose and James Esther.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks Dr. Elisha Nziengui Boussengui, without whom we would never have been able to fulfill Betty's wishes - and ours - to "never give up".

The family also wishes to thank Father Raphael Mary Salzillo, O.P., for his kindness and gentleness, and for administering the sacraments for Betty.

Graveside services were held at Mount Vernon Cemetery. Memorials in Memory of Betty may be made to the La Conner Quilt and Textile Museum, P.O. Box 1270, La Conner, WA 98257.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.