Betty Jane Kitch Barnes was born on June 21, 1923 and passed away on August 6, 2016 at the age of 93 in Mission Viejo, CA. She enjoyed a wonderful life.

She is survived by her children: Gregory Barnes, Jeffry Barnes (Dolly), and Kimberly Dorr (Rodgers); as well as her beloved brother, Eugene Kitch, 98, of South Houston, Texas, and grandchildren Paul Barnes, Jeff Bates, Rodgers Dorr (Stacy) and Allison Dorr. Betty's eldest child, Nicola Bates, died in 2006.

Betty was born in Niantic, Illinois to her parents, Mildred Walker Kitch and William E. Kitch, who was the local postmaster. In 1946, after joining the Navy Waves (Storekeeper Second Class), she married her husband, Paul Barnes (of Mishawaka, Indiana, parents - Cecil Barnes & Mabel Jones Barnes) in Milledgeville, Georgia. Betty grew up in Decatur, Illinois, and later lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico (Nicola b.47) where she attended the University of New Mexico. Later her husband's career would take them to Phoenix (attending Thunderbird Institute), Arizona, Crawfordsville, Anderson (Gregory b.49 & Jeffry b.51) & Columbus, Indiana, in 1955 to Port Huron (Kimberly b.58) , Michigan, and in 1962 to La Habra, CA followed by Irvine and Laguna Woods, CA. Betty made new friends along the way and joined the Milliken Alumni Club, The Newcomers Clubs, Presbyterian Church and the Sorority Panhellenic Society. She was involved in the Brownies and was a Cub Scout Leader.

In 1929, Betty and her family left Illinois, to enjoy a year in Los Angeles, CA attending kindergarten at Washington Avenue Elementary near downtown Los Angeles. The family adventure crossing the country in a Ford Model A was part of the family story. Back in Illinois again, Betty attended Decatur schools and Milliken University, before joining the Navy where she met her husband, Paul, who was also in the Navy. It was love at first sight and they would enjoy many years of happiness together until Paul passed away of colon cancer at age 54. In high school, Betty was the editor of the school newspaper, which led, many years later, to a writing career with the La Habra Star News, where she was Society Editor. Besides social events, she also wrote travel pieces featuring railroad trips to Mexico, plus wrote reviews of Theater in the Round Broadway Shows, which were enjoyed by many readers. In later years, Betty worked at the Jolly Rodger Restaurants in advertising and Public Relations. Betty excelled in working with written words – her annual Christmas letter was always a treat to read.

Betty loved many things - ballroom dancing, bridge, lawn bowling, golf, traveling, camping, white water rafting, crossword puzzles, her sorority - Alpha Chi, cooking (her recipes are being enjoyed today) & baking (all those Christmas cookies), photography and loved her pets, Corky, Henri, Bomber and Holly. Her 80th birthday was celebrated by a helicopter ride to the top of an Alaskan glacier. Her companion, in later years, was Jules Romano (nephew of Jimmy Durante), and they enjoyed dancing and being together. Betty adored her children and grandchildren and will be sorely missed by her friends and family. Betty's favorite color was red, and Betty Boop was the way she thought of herself and lived her life fully. She ended each day with a cocktail and a smile.

Per Betty's wishes, her ashes will be buried near her firstborn child Nicola Bates, at the El Toro Memorial Cemetery in Lake Forest, CA. Some ashes will be scattered near Betty's husband grave. Others will be buried in Pasadena, CA., South Houston, Texas and in the redwoods near Santa Cruz, CA. A few may find their way to the sea along with those of Betty's Aunt Edith and Cousin Daryl Drollinger. Betty always wished that her ashes would go up into space with a rocket, so a few might be saved for that trip.

Betty was blessed by Kimberly and the Dorr Family's constant love and caring, since the death of her husband Paul, and later, by loving caregivers Zena, and Roberto & Theda Lantican and the excellent staff of Mission Viejo Care cottages. Her Hospice Volunteer, Pete, sat by her bedside for many years sometimes accompanied by her Social Services care person. After the death of Nicola and Jules Romano, Betty's capacity to reason began to decline. Although she possessed a good appetite, old age and a series of strokes led to her passing. She was not diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and was able to speak long into her later years.

Friends are invited to her Celebration of Life on October 2016 with a location and date to be announced.

The family has asked for Rose plants in lieu of cut flowers. These will be planted as living memorials to a life well lived. Betty's favorite saying was that she couldn't believe how lucky her life has been.

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