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CASHION -- Elizabeth "Betty" Mary Benton Cashion, 80, a long-term resident of Albuquerque, died on Friday afternoon, September 30, 2005 after a long battle with congestive heart problems. Betty was born on March 23, 1925 to Alice and James Thomas Benton. She married John Cashion on August 14 1967 in Albuquerque. She grew up in Albuquerque, graduated from Albuquerque High in 1943 and attended the University of New Mexico. Betty was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, the UNM Ski Team and she acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Inter-American Affairs, in 1947. After graduating, she worked as a translator for the United Nations and then spent a year in Europe, working for the Service Civil Internationale (forerunner of the Peace Corp). Her true passion was snow skiing, which she learned at the age of 13 and competed in many racing events, becoming the New Mexico Women's Downhill Champion in 1945. In 1948, while working in Beartown, MA, Betty became the first woman Certified as a Ski Instructor in the Eastern Division of the Professional Ski Instructors of America. She returned to Albuquerque in 1949 as the head of the La Madera (now Sandia Peak) ski school for 2 years. She left Albuquerque for nine years, teaching skiing on the East Coast for several years and also lived in London, England for a year. Betty returned to Albuquerque for good in 1960 and taught skiing at La Madera (Sandia Peak) every year since, until she retired from skiing in 2003 at the age of 78. She had many other interests during her lifetime, enjoying tennis, bike riding, traveling, teaching school, a good party, her fruit trees and the tulips in Holland, all while running a properties business involving warehouses and rentals. She is survived by her husband, John; her two sons, Randall (wife Kim) of Arvada, CO, Chris (wife Debbie) of Highlands Ranch, CO; step-daughter, Leda (husband Larry) of Cuba, NM; and her brother, Bruce of Albuquerque. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Eric, Kyle, Megan, Tiffany, Sheri, Teri, Malina, and Becky; and three great-grandchildren, Eli, Kenneth, and Dylan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and loving friends. More information on Betty's life at http://www.forgetmenotforever.com. In lieu of flowers/gifts, memorial contributions man be made in Betty's name to Albuquerque Rescue Mission, PO Box 331, Albuquerque, NM 87103 or Joy Junction, PO Box 27693, Albuquerque, NM 87125, who help feed and shelter the homeless. Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service, open to all friends and family, will be held at the Oasis Family Chapel, 4800 Lomas Blvd NE on Saturday, October 8, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. MDT. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
        Published on: Thu October 06, 2005