Eby-Bettini, Alice Elizebeth

Alice Elizebeth Eby-Bettini - age: 89
(November 13, 1921 to May 18, 2011 )
Resident of Ukiah, California

Obituary:
Alice Elizebeth Eby-Bettini was born November 13, 1921 in San Francisco, CA and passed peacefully at home in Ukiah, CA on May 18, 2011 at the age of 89. Her parents were Loyd Reginald Minto of Geyserville, CA and Alice Loretta (Ford) Minto Granger Mikesell of San Francisco. Alice graduated from Tamalpais High School in Marin County January 1940. She was very proud of her special high school achievements, one of which was being the first Drum Majorette with the Talmalpais Marching Band where she twirled two batons at a parade for the opening of 1939 World’s Fair on Treasure Island and the other that she modeled a dress she sewed at the World’s Fair Fashion Show.
Alice worked at Hamilton Field, Marin County before and during World War II as the Base Inspector’s clerk typist and the Corps of Engineers Major’s personal secretary doing highly confidential work for the 4th Air Force. Alice was working at Hamilton Field when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and said she left Hamilton Field on Friday afternoon with a country club atmosphere but returned Monday morning December 8 to a “War Machine”. She then helped organize and worked with the Camouflage School where everyone was required to wear gas masks 24 hours a day. She later transferred to the Counter Intelligence Corp, Presidio of San Francisco, doing secret (burn before reading) work as a Major’s Secretary.
Alice married Ray Raphael Eby on January 27, 1946 in San Francisco. Ray and Alice moved to Ukiah in July of l948 with their first child Rae Alice. They had two more children, David Louis and Mary Ann. Ray first worked for his brother-in-law George at Portlock’s Hardware and then at Masonite for 24 years until his retirement. Ray passed away in 1983. Alice and Ray started square dancing in 1960. They danced with the Ukiah Square Shooters and the Ukiah Promenaders.
Alice was active with Cub Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and P.T.A. She was a homemaker for twenty years when she returned to work as Camp Fire Girls Council’s part-time Administrative Secretary. When her first child entered college, she went to work full time for twelve years as an Administrative Secretary with the Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures for County of Mendocino and then six enjoyable years as the Administrative Secretary for Mendocino County Youth Project. After retirement in 1982, she worked and volunteered at various agencies, including Hospice, In Home Health, and People for People. Alice was a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, TOPs Club, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Senior Center where she did Peer Counseling. Alice also was a Reach for Recovery volunteer with the Cancer Society. In later years, she joined the Emblem Club and was also a member of the Red Hat Hot Mamas. Friends say Alice was known for her quick wit and happy smile.
Alice remarried in 1989 to Eugene N. “Gino” Bettini. When Alice met Gino they continued to dance with the Ukiah Promenaders and the Lake County Pear Steppers. They enjoyed traveling in their Motor Home here and there to square dance and staying on the beautiful Pacific Ocean coast. Together they had many adventures until Gino passed away in 2003.
Alice is survived by her children Rae Alice Eby-Carl and husband Dave of Witter Springs, CA, David Eby and his wife Cari of Blue Lakes, CA and Mary Ann Garbe of Auburn, CA. Also 6 grandchildren: Shawn Eby of Ukiah, Sue Guyot and husband Mark of Blue Lakes, Zachary Burroughs of Witter Springs, Alexander Burroughs and wife Eliana of San Antonio, TX, Amber Peak of Lakeport, CA and Marianne Garbe Carl of Witter Springs. Plus her much loved great grandchildren: Christopher and Rhianna Eby, Jacob Redding, Amanda Bertalot, Anthony Burroughs, Nathaniel Norcio Peak, Kathryn, Mathew, Andrew and Emma Peak, and Silas Raphael Guyot. Alice is also survived by her dear friend and fiancé Floyd (Bill) Hollenback whose company she enjoyed until the end.
Alice was predeceased by her beloved brother Joseph Phillip (Jophil) Minto of Baja, Mexico. She is survived by cousins Ray Minto and wife Mary of Santa Rosa, CA; Bill Feldmeyer and wife Shirley of San Anselmo, CA, Sherry Becciaria and husband Tracy of North Carolina as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Alice also was survived by a stepson Tom Bettini and wife Millie, step-grandchildren Tommy Bettini and Rhonda Pacheco and husband George, and step great-grandchildren Lisa and Tammie Ruddicks.
Graveside Service and internment will be Monday, June 13th, 11:00 am at Russian River Cemetery, 940 Low Gap Rd., Ukiah CA. Alice wanted no flowers but memorial donations to your local Hospice would be appreciated. Alice said, “Please do not grieve me – hold in your hearts all the wonderful times we have had together and thank the Lord for letting me be with all of you for so long.”