Betty Jo Palo
Betty Jo Palo, 81, formerly of
Billings, passed away Oct. 5, 2010, at Kalispell Regional
Medical Center in Kalispell.
Betty was born Aug. 18, 1929, to Harold and Irene Donaldson in
Great Falls, where she was raised and attended kindergarten
through high school at Saint Mary’s Catholic School. While
attending high school, she worked as an elevator girl at the
Rainbow Hotel.
Betty met the love of her life, Andrew “Terry” Palo. They
wed April 22, 1950. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the
Marines and they were stationed at Camp Pendleton in San
Diego, where their first child, Terri Anne, was born. Moving
back to Montana in 1953, Betty Jo and Terry settled in
Billings, where they continued to raise a family. Betty
worked as a legal secretary throughout her adult life while
raising three beautiful daughters.
Betty and Andy were very active in multiple community
organizations, becoming lifetime members of the Elks Club,
Exchange Club, Knights of Columbus and many more. They loved
going dancing and listening to music. Many weekends in the
’70s and early ’80s were spent at their cabin in the Red
Lodge area playing cards and enjoying the company of other
cabin-goers.
Betty was a beautiful woman. She was a stylish dresser and
always had beautiful hair and nails. She loved decorating
her home and had fine taste.
She became widowed in 1987 and began to surround her life
with visits from grandchildren and many close friends in the
Billings area. She continued to work in her profession until
retiring in 1993.
In 2008, she moved to Kalispell to be with her daughter
Janet and her house full of many four-legged creatures, one
of which (Rocky the cat) became her constant companion until
she moved into Brendan House in November 2009. She spent the
last 10 months of her life being cared for by the most
wonderful people in Brendan House. She loved her caregivers
and they definitely loved her back. She had a very dry sense
of humor and had her children and others laughing when you
would least expect it.
The greatest joy in her life was her grandchildren who
happened to be all boys; she was always hoping the next baby
born might just be a girl — which finally happened when the
grandsons had babies.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 37
years, Andy; and her dear friend, Leighton Herigstad.
Betty is survived by her daughter, Terri Anne Money and
husband Ted of Abbeville, Ala.; grandson Kirk Gable of
Phoenix; grandson, Kent Gable and fiancée Susan of Phoenix,
and daughter Olivia; daughter Barbara Kay Pritchett of
Livingston; grandson Dustin James Pritchett of Nashville,
Tenn., wife Kaaren, daughter Zoey Elizabeth Pritchett, son
Nolan James Pritchett, and son Reese Andrew Pritchett, due
in October; grandson, Mason Cole Pritchett of Chicago;
grandson, Gabe David Geering of Livingston; and daughter,
Janet Palo, of Kalispell; and grandson Tanner Falcon and
fiancee Chelsey of Los Angeles. She is also survived by her
brother, James “Bud” Donaldson and family of Mount Vernon,
Wash.; sister-in-law, Margaret Palo and family of Grand
Junction, Colo.; and cousin, Mary Marnin of Great Falls, and
family. She also leaves behind her cat, Rocky.
Betty’s funeral service will be held at noon, Friday, Oct.
15, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Billings. The Catholic
vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. She will be laid to rest next
to the love of her life, Andy, at the Holy Cross Cemetery.
If you wish to make a memorial donation, it may be directed
to Catholic Charities of Montana.
Betty will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and friend. She will be forever missed.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Janet and
family
I am sorry to see the loss of your mother. I am sure you have many
special memories to warm your heart when you miss her. My deepest
sympathy to you and your family.
God Bless-Arli Weniger (Kalispell)