Rosemead, CA

Betty Lee Hock was born in Collinsville, Illinois to John and Agnes Hock. Betty was the eldest of three sisters. The family lived in Chicago and the Oak Lawn suburbs. Betty graduated from high school with the aspiration to be a teacher. She met and married Ray Boone in 1946 and moved to California where they built a house in Rosemead, CA. Daughter, Carolyn was born in 1949 and Patricia in 1952.

Betty was an avid reader, wrote poems, short stories, and a family history. She loved arts and crafts, enjoyed playing the guitar and bowling. Betty and Ray took family camping trips to State and National Parks, train adventures and road trips studying Southwestern and Native American culture. Betty supported Ray’s passion of building a rustic mountain cabin in Big Bear.

Betty joined the County Library System and became a Library Assistant. She loved reading to the children. Her Storytimes at the San Gabriel Library were very popular! She worked for Library services for 22 years. She was proudest of her efforts in getting the beautiful mural of the San Gabriel Mission commissioned and painted in the San Gabriel Library.

Her grand passion was foreign travel. She and Ray explored Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Greece, the UK and Ireland. She was always eager for the adventure of travel and exploration of new and exciting places!

She accomplished her dream of teaching through her work in the library. Other goals met included traveling throughout the Southwest and abroad, owning the rustic mountain cabin and living to 100 years old. She was a warm and loving mother and grandmother. She lived a very good life and she will be greatly missed!

Betty is survived by her daughters, Carolyn Boone Fernandez and Patricia Boone; grandsons: Christopher and Marcus Fernandez (Alisa), and Great Grandsons: Michael, Lucas and Maximus Fernandez.