Betty L. Lichty

Betty L. Litchy, 78, resident of Cottonwood, AZ passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2006. She was born August 7, 1927 to James and Leita Byers in Dolores, CO, where she grew up and graduated from Dolores High School. While in Colorado she met and married John V. Tate (now deceased). In 1953, John and Betty, with their young family moved to Phoenix, AZ, where they settled. Betty was a very independant person, and she took on life\u0027s challenges with an up-held chin and smile. As a single mother for many years, she did what was needed to see to her children\u0027s needs, and make ends meet. Her four children were her entire world. From the very start, Betty worked hard. She selflessly gave everything she had, and willingly put her wants aside. Later in her life, love came to Betty when she met John Lichty. They were married in 1972 and were able to enjoy 14 years together before he passed away. Professionally, Betty was a bookkeeper; and worked for different companies throughout the Phoenix area. However, she spent the majority of her working career with, and retired from PSC Distributing. In 1995, after the passing of one daughter, Betty moved north to Cottonwood, AZ, where she could be closer to her other three children and their families. Betty found joy in simple things. She loved gardening, particularly bead work, making kachinas and sand paintings. She was an animal-lover, and loved her little dog, a Yorkie she named \u0027Ladybug\u0027. Most of all, she loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, John Lichty; her daughter, Cheryl Kuykendall; her grandson, Christopher Newcombe; and three of her brothers, Walter, Larry and Jay. She leaves behind her two sons, Grady J. (BethAnne) Tate of Sedona, AZ and Kevin D. (Debbie) Tate of Cornville, AZ; her daughter, Vickie Newcombe (Jim Cutbirth) also of Cornville, AZ; her son-in-law, James Kuykendall of Paradise Valley, AZ; her brother, Blaine (Faye) Byers of Dolores, CO; her sister Ruthie Rene of Cortez, CO; 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at Westcott Funeral Home in Cottonwood, AZ, Saturday morning, January 7, 2006 at 10:30am. Betty will be laid to rest in Lebanon, CO. In memory of Betty, contributions can be made to the Luekemia \u0026 Lymphoma Society, c/o THE DESERT MOUNTAIN STATES CHAPTER, 3877 N. 7th Street, Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85014 or to the Arthritis Foundation, c/o CENTRAL ARIZONA CHAPTER, 711 E. Missouri #116, Phoenix, AZ 85014. . An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com