BETTY Y STANSBURY

Stansbury, Betty Y.

Died on July 2, 2009 in Scottsdale. She was 94. Her son, David Stansbury, and daughter, Todd Stansbury, were by her side during her final illness. Betty was born on August 17, 1914 in Youngstown, Ohio, to Carl and Lillian Yacoll. Lillian died in the 1918 flu epidemic when Betty was only 4, but Carl lived to be 94 years old. Betty attended boarding school at Penn Hall Girls� School in Chambersburg, PA, then Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. Betty worked at the Butler Institute of Art in Youngstown. She married Paul Stansbury in l936. She and Paul moved to Phoenix in l948 and Paul spent his career with Valley National Bank, Mastercard and the Intercontinental Communications Corporation. He retired in l977 and died in l978. Apart from two years in Prescott, Betty lived in Phoenix for the rest of her life, 54 years in her house in the Arcadia date grove. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend. Paul and Betty were close to many friends and neighbors, most of whom Betty outlived. They loved to travel, dance and have parties. If it was the cocktail hour, Betty and her friends were gathered at someone�s home. Betty�s home was always open to friends of her children while they were growing up; she would put up anyone in need of a bed and moral support. Betty�s great pride and greatest joy during the last 26 years were her grandchildren, David and Annie Lee and Jack and Sarah Stansbury. Betty loved playing bridge with her friends and Yahtzee with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren�s exceptional math skills were developed by playing many games of poker with her. She was an avid reader, crossword worker and scrabble player throughout her life. Everyone who knew Betty appreciated her sense of humor. She always supported the underdog and had a strong sense of social justice. She lived a good, kind life and we love her. Betty was a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. She is survived by her son and daughter and her four grandchildren, as well as her son-in-law Steve Lee, his three children Katherine, Chris Courtney, Betsy John Robinson, three great grandchildren Will, Kate and Elsie, and her cat K. T. The family would like to express its gratitude for the exceptional kindness and care given to Betty during her last year of life by the staff of Scottsdale Village Square and Hospice of the Valley. No formal memorial will be held for Betty, but there will be a party in her honor at a later date. Donations in Betty�s name can be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014, or the Arizona Animal Welfare League at 30 N. 40th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85034.