Betty was born June 14, 1926 in a farm house near Prescott, Michigan, the 11th of 19 children born to Gust Edward and Meta VanSickle Bergquist.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Rev. Eugene Sheldon, daughter Shelly Jean Zavatsky Black Carbajal, 17 siblings and her parents.
She is survived by her daughter Julie (Russ) Raymond of Phoenix, AZ; one sister, Deloris Crainer Barager of Prescott, Michigan; three grandchildren, Jamie Davis, Noelle Stannard and William Black; several great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Betty loved the Lord, read her bible every day and embraced her role as a pastor’s wife. Their pastoral callings took them from Michigan to Florida and several small towns in Pennsylvania. They moved to Tucson, AZ in 1980 after both of their daughters moved there. Betty was active in child evangelism and traveled to many churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio each summer presenting the gospel through “Aunt Betty’s” felt-o-gram stories and singing. Betty and Eugene went to gospel camp meetings as often as possible and made many life-long friends. They could travel across the US without ever needing a hotel because they had welcoming friends everywhere.
Betty loved to cook, sew, crochet, write poetry and make people feel special. She made the best pie crust ever and always had a Tupperware container filled with cookies on the counter. Every family member has a blue jean quilt she made, and hundreds of babies received an intricately crocheted sweater, hat and booties which she could make without using a pattern. Many hours were spent, and memories made, playing Scrabble, Phase 10 and Skip-Bo (which she usually won). Betty loved her grandchildren immensely, made up silly songs to rhyme with their names and always had a treat waiting for them.
At age 47, Betty fulfilled her lifetime dream of becoming a nurse by first obtaining her GED and then graduating from an LPN program. Betty was a compassionate nurse, working most of her career at University Medical Center (UMC) in Tucson, AZ, proudly wearing her white nursing cap and nursing pin. She got her nickname “BJ” at UMC because there were so many nurses named Betty.
Betty’s last few years were spent at Christian Care Manors in Phoenix where she was loved by many and looked forward to a daily cup of coffee with her neighbor, Shirley.
Betty’s moto, which she lived faithfully was “Be friendly and kind to everyone. It may be you who will need a friend someday”. And “Do everything as unto the Lord, you will meet him someday.”
A special thank you to Hospice of the Valley Ryan House nurses, caregivers and Chaplain Macias for their tender care and support that helped our family during this difficult time.
'A Poem of Comfort'
If I could speak to you right now,
I’d wipe your tears and kiss your brow.
I’m home in heaven, no aches or meds,
Just hymns of rejoicing are in my head.
My back is straight, my blood pressure low,
I’m reunited with friends who missed me so.
Love each other, be a friend!
Live your life until the end.
Read your bible come what may,
And I’ll be with you every day.
Have no regrets, I knew your love
I’m waiting in heaven right up above.
-JLR
Thank you so much for your support. Please consider donating in BJ's name to 'Hospice of the Valley' and/or 'Our Daily Bread' organizations by selecting the links below.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18