Betty Anne Aitken 1936 ~ 2008 Our precious wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, cousin, aunt, neighbor and friend Betty Anne Aitken passed into eternity on August 1, 2008 to join her family that has preceded her. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 23, 1936 to Mike and Mary Long. Betty grew up with her sister, Gerri and brother, Michael and a very extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. In her early years during the summer, her family would travel with the sheep camps in Montana and Idaho. Betty learned to shoot, ride and herd at a very young age. She loved to tell stories about her life in the sheep camps. Betty graduated from West High School and married her high school sweetheart, John Aitken. They have five children and lived in Utah, Arizona, Montana and California. She returned to Utah to be with her family, friends and to start a family business in 1976. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and thrived on sharing her strength, wisdom, sweetness, talents and good fortunes on all of us. She became our best friend, confidante and teacher. Betty and John, along with their children and grandchildren, traveled the world and experienced just about every culture, but at the end of the day she loved nothing more than being at her home in Utah working in her garden, cooking and spending time with her family. Betty is an accomplished artist, decorator, gardener and cook. Betty is survived by her husband, John Aitken, sons, John Drake (Patty), Greg (Holly), Mark, and Stuart (Ada), her daughter, Heather (Richard), her father, Mike Long, sister, Gerri (Paul) Wright, brother, Mike (Vickie) Long, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. We will smile through our tears and reflect how honored we were to have loved and been loved by Betty Anne Aitken. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Avenue and T Street. A vigil service will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3015 East Creek Road, where friends may call from 5:30-6 p.m. Funeral Directors, Neil O'Donnell and Sons. In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Thomas More Catholic Church or the Fellowship Hall of Salt Lake City, Utah..

Published in Salt Lake Tribune on August 3, 2008