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Betty M. Schuch, resident of New Mexico since 1950, succumbed to a culmination of many prolonged illnesses on October 5, 2005. She was a feisty lady, and was able to fight through many painful and debilitating events, even working part time until age 78. She was attended by her family and is survived by her five sons, Charles and wife, Diana of Albuquerque, Douglas and wife, Ingrid of Escondido, California, Brian of Albuquerque, Thomas of Albuquerque, and Steven of Westport, Washington. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Young and husband, Thomas of Ibadin, Nigeria, and sister-in law, Elsie McAllister of Munster, Indiana. She has seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren, and six nieces and nephews. Betty was born in Chicago on December 11, 1925, and moved with her family to Los Alamos in 1950. In 1961, the family moved to Albuquerque. She loved New Mexico and its cultural diversity. She especially loved the chile, and made regular pilgrimages to Chimayo to eat and buy red chile. She also had a great appreciation for turquoise jewelry and native pottery. In her final days, she was handicapped by a breathing tube, but insisted on telling jokes and making many various comments by pointing to an alphabet board and spelling things out. (Her sons always bragged that they never knew her to miss the spelling of any word.) Her small back yard was beautifully landscaped, and she spent many happy hours tending it. She was notorious for being "warm enough," and many times refused to wear a coat in winter weather. She passed on to her sons her insistence on being independent. She always wanted to do things, if she could, without burdening others. She was politically astute, and did her best to volunteer to help her favorite candidates in their election campaigns. For the past two years, Betty resided in an assisted-living facility. She had rehabilitated herself to the point that she was scheduled to move back into her own beloved home on Monday, September 12. Unfortunately, she became very ill just four days prior to her return, and was admitted to the hospital. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle Blvd. SE, Albuquerque, NM, at 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 16. The family requests that any donations be directed to the American Lung Association, or to the Arthritis Foundation. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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