Betty Ann (Brown) Gittins, 69, unexpectedly passed away on January 2, 2024, in Great Falls, Montana. Betty was born on March 9, 1954, to Loretta and Robert Brown in Havre, Montana, where she was raised. She graduated from Havre High School in 1973. Betty loves the Lord, Jesus Christ, and desired to be baptized into His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which she did right after high school. She went on to graduate from Dahl’s College of Beauty in Great Falls. During that time, she met Glenn Gittins at a church activity in Great Falls. They fell in love and were married on October 18,1975 in Great Falls. They were happily married for forty-eight years! Shortly after, they moved to Helena. A couple of years later, they returned to live in Great Falls where they welcomed their first child, a beloved baby boy whom they name Daniel William, but devastatingly, he only survived a few minutes. Together, they pulled through their heartbreak and moved to Billings a couple of years later, where they welcomed another beloved baby boy, Dale. Dale is their pride and joy and Betty doted on him as only a beautiful, loving mother would. When Dale was only two, hardship struck again, which left Betty struggling for her life and unable to bear anymore children. She and her family pulled through again, and remained very close to each other. Family was everything to Betty. During their time in Billings, Betty ran a daycare in her home as her passion in life were tending to and nurturing babies and little children. During the summer of 1989, they all moved back to Great Falls where she lived out the rest of her life.
Being a long-time member of the community, she faithfully and lovingly served for many years the citizens of Great Falls. Betty served in the Scouting program, a lunch lady who brightened the daily lives of many children and worked as a daycare teacher for many years. She provided love, care, attention, singing, dancing, playing, rocking, holding, diligently tending to all of their needs, and putting together lessons, fun learning and craft projects, making cupcakes for first birthdays, and giving gifts to Great Falls’ smallest citizens! Oh, how she loved those babies and little children! Betty has spent countless hours over several decades serving in various church callings and bringing meals to those in need, visiting and helping at a moment’s notice family, friends, neighbors, members of her ward at church, and community, and being there for people. She was a friend to all!
Betty’s favorite color is purple, and she loves flowers, especially carnations! Betty enjoyed baking, shopping, and going to lunch with her beloved granddaughters, Dorla and Abby Gittins! Betty has so many friends and family that she loves dearly! Betty was overjoyed to receive a forever daughter, Chalyce, when Dale was sealed to his wife in 2019! Recently, last October, Betty retired from daycare and soon after, flew back east with her special, long-time friend, Barb to meet their beloved great-granddaughter, Della, Betty’s first great-grandchild. She was so excited to meet, hold, love, and snuggle her! Betty loves needlework and crafted many beautiful pieces, many of which became treasured gifts to
others. She also made blankets when someone had a new baby. She is very thoughtful and self-less in so many ways! Betty loves her plants and gardening! She was especially proud of her cherry tomato, giant aloe vera, and rhubarb plants. She couldn’t wait to make strawberry-rhubarb pie. She also took the time to gather chokecherries to make chokecherry pies and syrup from their own tree. She loved to pick huckleberries to turn into more delightful treats. Betty spent many hours canning various fruits and vegetables even enlisting the help of family members to create fun, happy memories and pass on these important skills. Betty loves the outdoors! She couldn’t wait to go camping, make smores, and dip her fishing line in the water in hopes of hooking a great catch! Betty was an Elvis fan. Betty’s favorite holiday was Christmas! She has such a strong testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ, His great love for all, His ministry, gospel, sacrifice, church, and families being united forever. She loves to look at the Christmas lights with her family and looked forward to it each year. She loved baking Christmas cookies with Dorla and Abby and talked about it often. She loved decorating the tree and home and putting out her Christmas village on the fireplace mantle. She collected spoons from various states, snow globes, and angels. She especially loved her angels.
Betty is survived by: husband Glenn Gittins, son Dale (Chalyce) Gittins, granddaughters Dorla Gittins, Abigail “Abby” Gittins, step-grandchildren Tristan Edwards, Jesse Edwards, Laura (Teagan) Edwards Coles, great-granddaughter Della Dollars, Aunt Arlene Blessing, cousins Rod Blessing, Carol Benson and Carol’s daughter Jennifer, brother-in-law Mike (Jackie) Gittins, sisters-in-law Christine (Michael) Welch, Shelley Gittins, Deborah “Debbie” (Marc) Farkas, and several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly along with many friends.
To read the complete obituary and share condolences, click here to visit the Croxford Funeral Home website.
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