Betty Nielson Fairbourn1924 - 2012We were quite sure Shakespeare was thinking of our Mother when he said, "Though she is but little, she is fierce". Tiny in stature, she was mighty in life and left to all who were blessed to know and love her, a mighty legacy. Betty Fairbourn of Hagerstown, Maryland died peacefully, May 28th early in the morning on one of her favorite holidays Memorial Day. Having been blessed with a long, full, healthy life she amazed her friends and family with the strength and dignity she displayed as she went through several major health issues over the course of a few short weeks.Betty shared 65 years of marriage with her fun, life-loving partner Cal Fairbourn who passed away on October 15, 2008. Their courageous union started in their Jordan High School (Sandy, Utah) when the dapper Cal spotted the ever efficient (but very cute and petite) Betty, dutifully discharging her duties as secretary to the student court. Despite the fact that Cal was serving as the Judge of the Student Court, their relationship only began the moment Cal made his way from the family farm to the door of Betty's father to make a proper introduction. Like so many of their day, they married while Cal was home on leave from his service in the Navy during World War II. From day one, Betty and Cal forged a strong, creative union of two mutually energetic and enterprising young marrieds. Betty wholeheartedly supported Cal's early endeavors in the construction business and his eventual 33 year career with General Motors Acceptance Corp. She was the stalwart who left her Butlerville, Utah childhood home and made 16 moves, created 17 homes and enrolled children in 52 different schools as they traversed across the United States. The tables turned when they happened upon a beautiful Inn on Antietam Battlefield and it was Cal's turn to support Betty in her very successful 17 year career as the beloved innkeeper of the Inn at Antietam. We need to mention that this tiny little dynamo did all of this while being a great Mother to Greg, Dave, Rich, Cathy, Lori, Roger and Lisa; a great Mother-in-law to L'Jeane, Debbie, Christie and Dave; a great Grandmother to Will + Jess, Charlie + Austin, Christie + Ben, Jen + Tyler, Matt, Calvin, Quinn, Brian + Tammy, Jason + Catherine, Greg and Court, Cate, Eric and Scott, Chris + Michelle; a great Great-grandmother to Caroline + Kate, Grace + Brynlee, Sam, Coleman + Elias, Nick, Megan, Garrett, Tanner + Morgan, Michael, Annabelle + Eden and finally Skyler + McKayla. Betty was a great sister to her last surviving brother Bill Nielson. She was a great Aunt to her very special niece, Beverly Beckstead. Betty's family and her home were her greatest pride and joy. She deeply loved children and though she maintained a beautiful and meticulous home, she loved nothing more than it be filled with noise and chaos of children and family. She had a special knack with children- she was a teacher with high standards who rarely needed to use words. Her gracious, dignified manner also came with an openhearted ability to make anyone around her feel warmly welcomed. She truly was a mighty mite, and her energy level and ability to tackle "projects" were unparalleled but the unique characteristics were the humor, fun, and optimism she brought to anything she did. Betty loved golf, sharing meals, laughter, quilting, walking with her neighbor Lois and playing card games. She was especially fond of helping Cal with his gardens by "dead-heading" his flowers and in the process filling her home with beautiful bouquets. In her early years in the Sharpsburg area, she enjoyed her volunteer work with Hospice of Washington County. Her hospitable spirit and large family assured she often enjoyed large groups of people in her home. Mother to so many, Betty took care of everybody before herself. Her selfless, amazingly "behind the scenes" demeanor stayed with her to the very end as she progressed through the health challenges of her last weeks of life. To the very end, she remembered people and kept her wonderful sense of humor. Respected throughout her life, Betty was loved by all who knew her.Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Crescent 30th Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 89 East 11000 South in Sandy, Utah. There will be a viewing at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at Crescent Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to benefit the Health Sciences programs at Hagerstown Community College. HCC Foundation, 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742 or the charity of your choice.
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