Betty Jean Sazama

Betty Jean Sazama (Smith)
BetUJean Sazama passed away on October L4,2AL7. She was born to Warren and Elsa Smith
(Breitling) on November 22,1929 in Denver, Colorado. She is survived by her children: Terry
(Loretta), Rick (Christine), David (Justina), Steven and Debbie, her grandchildren: Tammy Souza
(Rod), Jason Sazama (Amy), Steve Sazama {Aimee}, KelliVance (steven}, Korina Deter, and her
great grandchildren: Alexandra and Audra Souza, Xander and Grady Sazama, Chloee, Sophia,
and Delany Sazama, spencer, shane, and KamiVance, Raegan and Reese Deter.
Betty and her parents moved to lnglewood, California where she met and married Tom Sazama,
her life-long partner who preceded her in death on February L2,2OL6. Betty and family lived in
South Dakota, Oregon, and California. She retired from Tracy Defense Depot on June 30, 1988
after 22 years of service.
Betty was an avid crafter and painter, kept numerous journals throughout her life, loved
reading mystery novels and watching mysteries on T.V., visiting relatives and friends, enjoyed
RVing throughout the US and Canada with her husband Tom and collecting postcards along the
way, touring foreign countries with (as her son Steve says) her -favorite- daughter, going to
movies with that same "favor'tte" daughter, and (all kidding aside) unconditionally loved each of
her children equally. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. She
especially took great delight in her grandchildren and great grandchildren and their exploits.
Betty was an awesome mother. We all remember the many times when she would sit and
listen to one of her children's problems or concerns and advise accordingly, or when she would
stay up all night typing a homework paper due the next day- She demonstrated her love for
each in her teaching of ethics, persona! responsibility, and treating others as we would want to
be treated-
Betty enjoyed participating in Astoria Senior Living outings and activities, shopping and eating
out. ln fact, she was planning to attend the Astoria Harvest festival on the day she passed
away, a family birthday party the next day, shopping for "jammies" with her son Steven the
next day, and going to Astoria's Dell' Osso Family Farm outing the following day. She was not
able to participate in these activities because she passed away quickly and peacefully in the
early morning hours.
She showed her strength, resiliency, and bravery to the end. She wil! be greatly missed, but
lives on in each of our hearts forever-
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 27,20117 at1:00 P.M. at Fry Memorial
Chapel, 55O S. Central Ave-, Tracy, CA 95376.
The family would like to thank the staff at Astoria Senior Living in Tracy and Life Springs Hospice
Care for the excellent care they gave Betty the last 6 months of her life. Donations may be
made to Life springs Hospice Care, 6o Whitney Place Fremont, cA 94539.

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