Betty Jane Anderson (Thompson) Obituary (1955 - 2015)

Born in Ontario, Oregon on 31 May 1955, Betty Jane was the fourth child and only daughter of Marion and Lucille Thompson. Betty grew up in San Dimas, CA, where, smart and energetic, Betty enjoyed competing with her older brothers, reading Russian novels, and being a proud Republican. Graduating high school at age sixteen, Betty started college at Cal Poly Pomona before transferring to Brigham Young University where Betty met her husband, Dennis. She proactively asked him out for their first date and they married six months later on 27 April, 1974 in the Los Angeles Temple. Amid her busy life as wife and mother of nine children, Betty finished her bachelor's degree at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She later completed her master's degree in Education at Cal Poly Pomona while simultaneously teaching in the Pomona school district. Betty was an accomplished teacher of science and history who motivated her first-generation students to pursue higher education. Ever active, Betty has the distinction of being one of a handful of fervent Republicans to ever attend, and actively speak at, the National Educators' Association annual meetings. Cheering for Mitt Romney at the 2012 Republican National Convention with her brother, Bruce, was a highlight of her political hobby. Betty's passions included being with her family, contributing to her family history, eating international food, building doll houses for her granddaughters, following politics, reading fiction, and working outdoors on her 16 acre property. Betty is survived by Dennis, her nine children, currently eight grandchildren, and three brothers. She was preceded in death by her parents and her stillborn son, Marion Merl.