Betty Jo (Doan) Gallatin passed away peacefully on September 2, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. She was born in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, on December 19, 1930, to Herbert and Naomi (George) Doan. Betty graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1948 and worked for several years at Charles L. Miller Insurance Agency. In October, 1962, she married Wilbur (Wib) Gallatin and together, they owned and operated Gallatin’s Market, until 1977. They moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1978, where both Betty and Wilbur were employed by Tucson Unified School District. Wilbur preceded Betty in death in February of 1994. Betty continued to remain active in Tucson schools in various roles due to her excellent office skills. She officially retired in 2004 and enjoyed spending her time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their school activities and sports. She also loved to make delicious food for her friends and family, her specialties being sweet butter cream caramels and cheese balls at Christmas, and fresh coconut pies anytime they were requested. She devoted herself to her daughter, son-in-law, granddaughters and their families.
She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Paul Carey, granddaughters Megan Laux (Scott), Erin Whatton (David), Ashley Jones (Mitchell), all of Tucson, and Hayley Whittier (Brandon), Queen Creek, Arizona. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Sydney and Chase Laux, Abby and Macy Whatton, Brody and Sadie Jones, all of Tucson, and Parker, Paige, Preston, and Porter Whittier of Queen Creek, Arizona. Surviving also are step great-granddaughters Jessica Whatton (Michael Alexander) and Alyssa Whatton, all of Tucson, and step great-great granddaughter Brynn Alexander, Tucson. Also surviving are sister-in-law Claudia Bryant, cousin Kent (Marilyn) Lewis, and many well-loved nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, parents, step-father, Murl Bryant, infant son, Bernard Mark Robinson, brothers Thomas Doan, William (Joyce) Doan, sisters Nellie (Harold) Hansman, Charlotte (Harold) Burkhart, Barbara (Curtis) Wilson, and step brother Doyle Bryant.
She was of the Catholic faith and generously supported several organizations. She touched the lives of many with her kindness, generosity and care to whoever was in need. She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Adair Mortuary, 8090 N. Northern Ave., Oro Valley, AZ. Funeral mass will be Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Church, 8650 N. Shannon Road, Tucson, AZ, with interment immediately following at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N. Oracle, Tucson, Arizona.
