Obituary of Betsy Jean Sanchez

Betsy J Sanchez (Adkins), 67, of Tucson, passed away on Monday, May 9, 2022 surrounded by family.  Betsy was born in Kansas City, Missouri on August 15, 1954.  

 

Betsy married her soulmate and best friend Nick Sanchez on May 23, 1985 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  They shared three daughters Stacey Sanchez Landin, Kim Sanchez (Chris Price) and Brianne Sanchez Carr.

 

They lived together in Aurora, Illinois for 19 years.  Betsy worked as a Construction Order Clerk for ComEd for 25 years. She started in Bolingbrook and ended her career at Maywood DVA at age 50.  Her coworkers remember her smile and laughter and no nonsense attitude at work.  Betsy got the job done and didn’t put up with anyone’s crap.

 

Retiring with her husband Nick at age 50 was a huge accomplishment.  Nick and Betsy bought their new home in Tucson Arizona where they had always dreamed of retiring. They spent their first 5 years traveling extensively with their fifth wheel around the country seeing 30 plus states. They followed the good weather and truly enjoyed being retired together.  They spent a lot of time on the west coast.  

 

Traveling by car was always their preferred way of seeing the country even after they stopped traveling with the fifth wheel.  Endless laughs and priceless memories were made on their adventures.  

 

Betsy was a dynamo.  There was no stopping her in anything she did in life.  She had so much energy it was amazing.  She absolutely loved shopping.  And she attended weekly card making classes with a group of women whom she adored.  Yard work and walking fed her soul. She was so proud of her yard and flowers and collection of rocks she had accumulated over the years.  Each rock held a memory of her family or where she had traveled.

 

Some of the most important people in Betsy’s life lovingly called her Nina.  She was an amazing, energetic, loving, protective and  a supportive grandmother to her seven grandchildren.  Robert Landin, Ryan Landin, Allison Landin, Olivia Lomeli, Jacob Lomeli, Samuel Price and Addison Price.  Her grandchildren were her life.  

 

Betsy was more than just a grandma to Robert, Ryan and Allison. Nina was also known as Nina Mama to all three and was truly a Mom to all three with the support of son-in-law Michael Landin. 

 

The loss of Nina is indescribable to her family and friends.  She was the true Matriarch of our family. 

 

Betsy will be forever remembered by anyone who ever spoke to her. She would and could make friends with whoever she encountered.  She would never forget a person’s name or face.  From cashiers at her favorite stores to her favorite pharmacist and the makeup lady at her favorite makeup counter.  All have been devastated by the loss of this wonderful woman.

 

She would always smile and strike up a conversation with anyone.  She undoubtedly brightened countless peoples’ lives.  More than we could ever know.

 

Her family and close friends were the lucky ones. She was our Nina, our friend, our mom, our wife, our sister, our cousin, our aunt, our daughter and our everything. She will be missed for as long as she will be remembered.

 

Her memory will live on through all of her grandchildren who will continue to adore her.

 

Betsy is survived by her mother Doris Adkins and her siblings Don Adkins (Ferda Adkins), Sherrie Kirchberg (Randy Kirchberg) and Cindy Krefting.  As well as countless nieces and nephews.  Betsy was preceded in death by her father Donald Adkins.

 

We are honoring Betsy’s wishes and not having a ceremony. Betsy will be cremated and her ashes will be shared with loved ones and spread in locations she requested before she passed away.

 

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of these organizations in her name.  Betsy had an enormous heart and a soft spot for children suffering in situations out of their control. These charities support initiatives that are near and dear to her heart.  

 

If you are not able to donate please consider paying tribute to this amazing woman by taking the time to talk to strangers, remember names and extend extra kindness to those you may not know yet. Be like Betsy and brighten someone's day just because you can.

 

Written By: Kim Sanchez 

 

Childhelp Children’s Center of Arizona

 

Child Crisis Arizona

 

National CASA/GAL Association (Court Appointed Special Advocates and Guardian Ad Litem)

 

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