Betty Jane Bennett

Betty Jane Mereness Bennett was born to Nellie and Mason Mereness in Townsend, Montana on January 21, 1922. She was raised and educated in Helena, graduating from Helena High School with honors in 1940. She passed peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday, February 2, 2023, shortly after celebrating her 101st birthday. In Helena, she worked for Western Union Telegraph in her teens, followed by the Federal Reserve Bank and the Union Bank. She married Fred John Bennett on December 28, 1946, in the second ever Baha’i Marriage ceremony in the State of Montana. They lived in Bozeman while Fred attended Montana State University. Betty worked for the Production and Marketing Association Office of the US Government. In 1950, they moved to Butte where Fred was employed as a teacher with the Butte School District and she worked briefly for Otis Elevator Co. After staying at home with their three daughters in their early years, she worked as a secretary in the Petroleum Department at Montana Tech for 15 years until her retirement in 1984. She grew to love Butte, treasured her lifelong friendships, and considered it home. Betty became a member of the Baha’i Faith in Helena in 1937 and was elected as secretary of the Helena and Butte communities and served for over 50 years. She also assisted on a State Baha’i Teaching Committee for over 25 years where most of the time she served as secretary. Several times she was elected to be the State Delegate to the National Baha’i Convention in Wilmette, Illinois. During her retirement years, she completed a Compilation on the History of the Baha’is of Montana. She traveled to seven Native American reservations representing the Baha’is, to the 1944 dedication of the Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, the 1972 dedication of the House of Worship in New Delhi, India, and the 1992 second Baha’i World Congress in New York City, as well as a multitude of regional, national and international Baha’i Summer Schools and conferences. She was able to travel four times to the International Baha’i Center in Haifa, Israel, three times as a Pilgrim and once as a visitor. One of her favorite Baha’i quotes was “The earth is one country and mankind its citizens.” Betty and Fred loved camping, getting wood for their stove and traveled to most states in the US including Alaska and Hawaii. She also traveled to England, Wales, Germany and Malaysia. Betty was a superb hostess and their home was a haven of hospitality for friends and family. As a secretary at Montana Tech, she befriended and welcomed many international students to dinner at their table. Her community service included President of the Emerson PTA, promoting a bond issue which built the current Emerson Elementary school. She instructed Civil Defense during the Cold War years. She was an avid reader in her later years. After her husband’s passing, she volunteered as a literacy coach. She and Fred celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before his passing in 2007. Betty is survived by her three daughters, Pam (Gary) Wolfe of Lander, Wyoming, Debbie (Dave) Angelly of Bozeman, Dawn (Bruce) Bowman of Pocatello, Idaho, and brother Richard (Rigmor) Mereness of Billings, in addition to 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces and 1 nephew, and her treasured and very dear friend Diana DeWitt. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister and her husband. The family would like to extend their gratitude to her helpful neighbors, Judy & Kevin Getz and Mary Barbachano. Also great appreciation to Debbie Matule who groomed her lawn and sidewalks year round and Jenn Sullivan-Bradley who knew exactly how to quaff her hair. Highlands Hospice was gracious, professional, gentle and so helpful as we eased our mother out of this world. We also appreciate the love imparted by Mom’s many dear Baha’i friends who took the time to stay in touch with her, share prayers and recognize the gift of her deep wisdom and experience. A Baha’i funeral service will be conducted at Wayrynen-Richard’s Funeral Home, 1800 Florence Ave, Butte, MT 59701, on Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. To honor Betty, please consider a donation to the Butte Food Bank (mfbn.org) or Butte Women’s Shelter (WomenShelters.org).

Tributes

Betty Jane Bennett

January 21, 1922 - February 2, 2023