Obituary of Elizabeth Ann Dehler

Elizabeth A. Dehler 

           “Betty”

January 25, 1937 – January 12, 2020

Betty was born January 25, 1937 in Manhattan, New York to William and Lillian Hillgardner. Betty went to 10 different schools before she graduated from Bushwick High School in January of 1954. She found the love of her life Larry Dehler in 1951, at Bushwick High School in Brooklyn, New York. Betty & Larry were married for 63 years after 4 years of dating. Mrs. Dehler and her family lived in New York for 46 years before moving to Tucson, AZ in 1981. Betty resided in Tucson, AZ for 39 years before she succumbed to Alzheimer’s in her home with her husband Larry by her side.

Betty had an enormous impact on the Tucson community. Betty was very involved with the church St. Pius X, volunteering, business groups, and she was a successful business owner. To know Betty, was to know, her door was always open. If you needed a hug, support, an ear, advice, a meal, a shower, a place to stay and much more you could find it at Betty’s! In 2010 she won the Tucson look-alike contest, for Queen Elizabeth. She was often called the “Queen” by her husband.
Her interests included family, gardening, writing, reading and sewing. Betty lived close to the New York library (probably the world’s largest) this is where her love for reading began. She would take arms full of books home and when she finished, she would walk back to the library and do it again. At family gatherings if an Aunt or an Uncle asked “where is Betty”, someone would say look behind a book and you will find Betty!  She devoted much of her time and energy as a mentor and teacher to family members and friends. She taught all 12 grandchildren how to swim and some great-grandchildren as well. Betty was full of information, her knowledge superseded many. She was a joy to listen to. Betty watched all her grandchildren, so her children could go to work and school. Betty would not allow them to be in daycares. Her charm and smile enlightened any given moment.

Betty is survived by her husband, Larry Dehler; her sister, Doris Carlone; 4 Children, Gary Dehler wife Bonnie, Ronald Dehler wife Joan, James Dehler wife Melissa, BethAnne Dehler; 12 Grandchildren, Shaun Dehler wife Becky, Michael Dehler, Brian Dehler wife Ellyn, Sierra Dehler, Leah Jerabek husband Joe , Darren Dehler, Brittney Low husband Derrick, Hannah Dehler, Janay Powell husband Sean, Heather Dehler, Katarina Llamas, Darrion Jenson wife Alexandra;

9 Great Grandchildren, Julian Lopez, Giavanna Lopez, Hayden Dehler, Angelina Dehler, Alera Dehler, Jude Dehler, Mikayla Dehler, Charleigh Dehler, Presley Dehler.

Services are as follows:

January 20, 2020 Viewing 5pm-8pm Bring Funeral Home

January 21, 2020 Funeral Mass 10 am St. Pius X

January 22, 2020 Burial 11am Veterans Memorial, Marana AZ