Betty Caroline Mathison died on April 21, 2026, at the age of 92. 

Born in Butte, Montana, to Pete and Agnes Piazzola, Betty grew up in Dillon with her sisters Virginia and Grace. She graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1951 and moved to Missoula to attend beauty school. 

Betty met her husband Sam at a dance at the Missoula Elks Club in the early 1950s and they married in 1954. She owned and operated a beauty shop in town, and the hard work and determination with which she ran it was a source of pride throughout her life. 

The couple moved several times early in their marriage. Their daughter Terri was born in 1957 in Sunnyside, Washington, and daughter Melinda was born ten years later in Beaverton, Oregon. They built a close group of friends during their 20 years in Beaverton, where Betty was actively involved in volunteering, playing bridge, and hosting gatherings before dances at the Elk’s Club. 

Sam and Betty moved to Charbonneau in 1987 and retired there. Betty founded a new chapter of the Boys and Girls Aid auxiliary, and raised funds by hosting an annual bridge tournament. They traveled widely in their retirement, including trips to Italy and Norway where their family origins were. Betty’s greatest joy during this time was spending time with her grandkids, and she relished the relationships she had with each of them. She was lucky enough to meet two great granddaughters in her final years. 

Betty is survived by her daughters Terri and Melinda, sons-in-law Jim and Won, nieces, nephews, grandson Ryan, granddaughters Jamie, Samantha, and Lexi, and great-granddaughters Carter and Macy. Her husband Sam predeceased her in 2005. 

No service will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to Boys & Girls Aid at boysandgirlsaid.org/donate.