Betty Jane Gerritson was born on March 23, 1923 in Maxwell, New Mexico. She lived with her father Hobart and mother Marjorie on her grandparents' dairy farm; her dog Jigs tried to keep her out of mischief. When Betty was four, her parents headed west across the desert in their Model T for a new life in California. They settled in Riverside. Betty watched her parents struggle through the Great Depression; her father worked wherever he could—a gas station, an orange packing house, in the orange groves, and later in construction. In 1932, Betty became a proud big sister to brother David, to whom she would remain close until his death in 1996.

Betty was singing from early elementary school in glee club and church choirs, something she continued all her life. She also played violin through high school. After graduating high school in 1941, Betty attended Riverside Junior College for one year, and then decided to go to work. She took a job with Food Machinery Corp., where she worked in the Personnel Department, Employee Insurance, and eventually in sales. Betty loved to dance, so in her free time she took advantage of the many organized war-time dances in the area: March Field, USO, and Civic Auditorium.

Betty returned to Junior College, and with classes in shorthand and typing, completed her AA degree in 1946. She moved to Los Angeles with a girlfriend where they shared a room in a girls' residence. At a dance at the Pasadena Civic one Saturday night in August, she met Don Macho. They were engaged in October and married February 22, 1948 at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Riverside.

They lived in South Gate where Don's family resided. Betty worked as an executive secretary at Food Machinery in Los Angeles until, in 1958, seven months pregnant, she had to tell her boss she had to quit. With a certificate in accounting and experience as a teller at the Bank of America, Don bought into the family business: The Check Exchange. This meant that Betty, and later daughter Patty, also worked at the family business, at least on a part-time basis.

Besides being a business partner, Betty served in leadership roles in PTA, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Women's Club. She was once voted onto the Queen's Court of the South Gate Azalea Festival and was on a float in the parade. Betty's community service inspired Patty; when in high school Patty asked about having a foreign exchange student, Betty convinced Don that it would be a good way to support the school and their daughter.

Betty's love of nature and adventure inspired their family to travel. Through Patty's school years they toured the Western United States and the National Parks, either in hotel or camper. They also took a cruise to Alaska. Once Patty was in college, Betty and Don widened their horizons and made trips to India and the Amazon.

Don and Betty sold the Check Exchange in 1986 and moved to Victorville, CA. Don enjoyed golf, Betty enjoyed the desert. In 1990, Don became ill and passed away. Betty moved to Fallbrook in 1992 to be closer to Patty and husband Chuck. She became an active member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, where she, of course, sang in the choir. She also cherished her grandson, Stephen, who was born in 1996.

Betty moved into La Costa Glen in Carlsbad 2002 where she enjoyed new friends and activities. She also became a member San Marcos Lutheran Church and attended with Patty, Chuck, and Stephen.

Betty left this world with as much spunk and spirit as she lived her life, but always trusting that she was in God's loving hands.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Patty, son-in-law Chuck, and their son Stephen Deen. She is also survived by nephews Paul, Michael, and Eric Gerritson, and nieces Robin Gerritson, and Susan Christie.