Obituary: Betty Lou McFarland

Betty Lou McFarland
Feb. 18, 1935~Jan. 21, 2009
Betty Lou Norton was born to Ella and Lebert Norton on Feb. 18, 1935, in Palestine, Texas. She grew up in East Texas before moving to New Deal (Lubbock), Texas, in the late 1940s. Betty was graduated from New Deal High School in 1953. She worked at Southwestern Bell in Lubbock as a telephone operator. Betty met Hubert V. McFarland Jr. in Lubbock and they were married Jan. 10, 1959 (Just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary). During their next couple of years in Lubbock, Betty and Jr. had two daughters, Monica and Melanie.
Shortly after Melanie was born they left Betty’s family in Texas and moved to Colorado, ultimately settling in Meeker. Betty stayed home with the girls and babysat other children. She also worked as a switch board operator at the local telephone office. In 1966 Betty and Jr. had a son, Timothy. Betty was always devoted to her family and friends wherever they were. Betty worked for Pioneers Hospital in Meeker, doing laundry, nurses aide, surgery tech, central supply, activities and much more. She worked there for 30 years, retiring in February 2000. She was dedicated to her work and loved her co-workers like family. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. In October 2000, Betty was diagnosed with Stage IV colo-rectal cancer.
Betty was a strong Christian woman who devoted her whole life to helping others even with her medical problems. She defied the odds for eight long years, enduring pain, chemotherapy, numerous trips to Grand Junction and to Pioneers’ emergency room, and just shear exhaustion. But, you would never know the pain she felt, or the exhaustion she had, because she always had a smile and never stopped doing the things she enjoyed. Betty was a member of the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Meeker and thoroughly enjoyed her church family, going to mass and singing in the choir. She also liked to do many crafts, sewing, knitting, quilting, crocheting,
just about anything. She enjoyed gardening, and canning. She planted her own apricot, apple and plum trees, ensuring no fruit were wasted. She enjoyed being with friends and having a meal, or playing “chicken foot,” or sometimes just driving around looking at the scenery. Betty was an inspiration to all who knew her.
After a long battle, Betty passed to a better world on Jan. 21, 2009, at her “second” home in Sherman, Texas, surrounded by her family. Betty is survived by her husband of 50 years, Jr. (Mac) McFarland, children, Monica, Melanie and Timothy, of Meeker, Colo.; her grandchildren Kymberly Holeyfield of Ft. Worth, Texas, Kristopher Holeyfield of Dallas, Texas, Kelsie Story (Kyle Sena) of Craig, Colo., Casey Story of Craig, Colo., Andy Massey of Meeker, Colo., and Alexien McFarland of Meeker, Colo.; and her great-grandchild Dakota Sena of Craig, Colo. She is also survived by her mother Ella Norton of Sherman, Texas; her sisters, Clara (Roy) Stringer of Sherman, Texas, Nell (Jim) Butts of Lubbock, Texas, and Sue (Gerry) Bradley of Sherman, Texas; her brothers, James (Barbara) Norton of Shallowater, Texas, and Dale (Marla) Norton of Dorchester, Texas; along with other brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, many nephews, nieces, cousins and a multitude of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Lebert Norton.
A family memorial was held on Jan. 24, 2009, at the home of Betty and Jr. in Sherman, Texas. We will be bringing Betty to Meeker for her final resting place and Mass at the Catholic Church as soon as the weather cooperates. Contributions may be made to First National Bank of the Rockies c/o Betty McFarland Memorial fund.