Shirley Betz Suter

We celebrate the life of an amazing mother, wife, aunt, sister, cousin, neighbor, and citizen: Shirley Harrison Betz Suter. Shirley passed away in hospice care on October 25 after being lovingly cared for in her own home. Shirley's life was exemplary in her accomplishments, her family, and her kindness to everyone she met. Shirley grew up on the East Coast. In college, she was a member of the Ski Team, graduating from Middlebury College (VT) in 1948. She married Arthur Henry Betz in 1950, moving west to California with him in 1954. Together they raised five children. She went on to earn a teaching credential at Cal State LA, and taught in the Monrovia Unified School District, at Wild Rose Elementary. Shirley would be blessed by her children with five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, a fifth on the way. After 61 years together, Arthur passed away in 2011. Shirley then met and married (at age 89!) her angel William Henry Suter of South Pasadena. Bill and his three daughters, Nancy, Marsha, and Martha welcomed Shirley and her family into their lives. Bill and Shirley traveled extensively throughout the world, living cruise ships travel, playing the game of Bridge which they loved. Shirley was a silver Life Master. The nonagenarian couple enjoyed land excursions to Cuba, South Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Europe, and even Russia. Shirley celebrated the latter half of life in grand style! She is preceded in death by her former husband Arthur, and her eldest son, Robert Arthur Betz, in 2008. Shirley is survived by her four children, Karen Coxwell of Phoenix Arizona, (children Joshua Coxwell and wife Sandy Smith also of Phoenix; daughter Erinn Rosendahl and husband Adam of Phoenix, parents of Maggie, Annie, Katie and Hattie); Richard Harrison Betz of Maui Hawaii; Kristin Dornin and husband Bob of Laguna Niguel (Children Alex Reis of NYC, and Meghan Clark and husband Scott of San Clemente, and great grand-to-be No. 5); and Kathryn Betz Riley of Mission Viejo (son Brian Riley of Chicago). Shirley maintained lifelong friendships, and left her indelible mark of joy and compassion on all she met. She will be greatly mourned and missed by her husband Bill, her family, friends, neighbors, bridge players, and travel acquaintances throughout the world. May she rest in peace in the loving arms of God, may his mercy lift her soul straight to heaven.