In Loving Memory of Dr. Betty Lloyd

Betty Jane Lloyd passed away on February 1, 2019, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the age of 69. Born in Somerset, Kentucky, to the late Giles Talmadge and Kelda Mae Lloyd, Betty attended Burnside High School and went on to receive her BS from Western Kentucky University. Setting out on her own, Betty spent time in Nashville completing her medical technologist training at Vanderbilt’s VA hospital. After completing her MS in Richmond, Betty began teaching medical technology at various universities, including Temple University, Kettering Medical Center, and the University of Oklahoma. In 1981, Betty began her doctorate studies in higher education administration at the University of Oklahoma, completing her Ph.D. while raising three kids.

Betty is survived by three children: Kelly (Mark) Hensel, of Batavia, Illinois; Emily (Dana) Rikli, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Andrew (Eden) Frederick, of Elgin, Illinois. She is also survived by two grandchildren, three siblings, and many nieces and nephews.

After working at the American Red Cross, Betty decided to focus on her family. From being there to help with science fair projects to attending every gymnastics and swim meet, Betty was fiercely supportive and proud of her three children. After they graduated from college, Betty reentered the workforce as a medical technologist in an Illinois hospital. During this time, she also fought and overcame breast cancer.

Betty enjoyed quilting and was known for her puppy dog quilts that she gifted to more than 30 children of family members and friends. Since moving to Colorado from Illinois in the last year and a half, Betty enjoyed going on hikes with her daughter’s family and took pleasure in volunteering as a tax aide with AARP. She also recently discovered a love for watercolors. Undoubtedly, the main source of joy in the last years of Betty’s life was being a grandmother. In addition to Johnny Cash and Ed Sheeran, Betty’s iPod included the Lego movie soundtrack and she could be seen driving her grandson home from school, both singing “Everything is Awesome.” While Betty had the chance to live in a variety of places, find professional success in work, and develop a love for numerous activities, she wanted to be remembered for her most important role—as mother and grandmother. It is in this role that she will be forever loved and remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to either the Colorado Palliative & Hospice Care at coloradophc.com/contact/donate or the American Brain Tumor Association at abta.org.