Gertrude Elizabeth McChesney

Gertrude Elizabeth "Betty" McChesney died Friday morning, September 18, 2009 at her Snowflake, Arizona home following a lengthy illness. She was 91 years old. Betty was born on November 20, 1917 on Staten Island, New York to the late William Fairweather and Lottie (Bailey) Purchase. She was raised in the Brick, New Jersey area and as a young woman was a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers). During World War II, Betty worked as an ambulance driver in New York and New Jersey. She always considered that to be her contribution to the war effort. As a young woman, she was an expert seamstress. Betty moved to Arizona in 1987 from California where she has since lived in Lakeside, Show Low and, most recently, in Snowflake. When she was able, Betty was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Show Low and was also active with Show Low's Friends of the Library. She also volunteered countless hours of service at Summit Healthcare Regional Medical Center in Show Low (formerly known as Navapache Regional Medical Center). Betty's health began to decline after the great Rodeo-Chediski Fire in 2002 that occured in the White Mountain Region and it really took its toll on her. Betty is survived by her daughter, Judy Peterson (Everett) of Lakeside, Arizona; granddaughter, Delia Judd of Petaluma, California and a great-granddaughter, Audrey Judd, also of Petaluma, California. She was preceded in death by 1 sister, Marion Fitzsimmons and 1 brother, Stuart Purchase. She will be laid to rest in the fields where she played as a child.