Bettye Jean Bean Young

Bettye Jean Bean Young led an active life all over the United States and the world. It wasn’t until age 95 that she finally gave up her automobile and moved from her Country Springs home into Legacy House of Bountiful. She has enjoyed wonderful friendships and activities as a resident of Country Springs and of Legacy House. In recent months advancing age gradually stilled her lively nature and she passed away early on July 31, 2021.

Betty was born October 13, 1924 at the Presidio of San Francisco to loving parents, First Lieutenant Emmett J. Bean and Jeannette G. Geibel Bean. As a child Bettye Jean was a quiet girl who enjoyed reading books and writing stories. This love continued throughout her life. She also loved the horse her father had in his position as a Cavalry officer, taking riding lessons with other children on Post. One lesson left an enduring impression when the horses panicked and Bettye was thrown. Despite her urge to run, Bettye trusted her father’s advice given that very morning, that in such an event she should remain very still where she fell until the horses had calmed. Amazingly, Bettye escaped unscathed from the incident.

At age 8, having yearned for a sibling for years, Bettye was thrilled to welcome her brother Richard James Bean (later a West Point grad, Class of 1957 and career Army officer), though she did recall being a bit disappointed to learn he couldn’t immediately be the playmate she had envisioned.

As an “Army Brat” Bettye moved with her family from California to Ft. Russel, Wyoming; to the Philippines; to Peking, China; to Ft. Sheridan, Illinois; to Washington D.C.; and finally, to The U. S. Military Academy (USMA) on the West Point Army Post perched high over the Hudson River in New York.

Bettye celebrated her 15^th birthday at West Point shortly after her family settled into their quarters. Her name was originally spelled “Betty”, but at 16 she added the final “e” to make it Bettye. She attended Highland Falls High School, though for her and many of the other girls her age, the Military Academy’s weekend dances and sporting events were the hub for social activities.

At these dances, Bettye’s Dance Card was filled by West Point Cadets eager to get to know and dance with this lovely, vivacious young woman. Among the cadets was her future husband Robert Paul (Rip) Young. Fortunately, he was patient and persistent, waiting three weeks for a spot on her social calendar. As it turned out, Rip was by far the best dancer among Bettye’s many admirers. They were married in the West Point Chapel on December 5, 1943. For the next 66 years their love of ballroom dancing would be a common thread woven through Bettye and Rip’s many travels and friendships.

Bettye was familiar with the joys and sacrifices of military life. In their 30 years together on active-duty Bettye and Rip lived in 18 different homes located in nine states, Washington D.C., and the German cities of Frankfurt and Karlsruhe.

Bettye faced each new assignment with grace and a can-do attitude. She was a loving and loyal partner who supported Rip through all their assignments. At each new station Bettye would host innumerable dinner parties, luncheons, picnics and “meet and greets” that are such a part of military life. As Rip rose in rank to Major General and assumed command of Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, (their final duty station) Bettye’s responsibilities increased accordingly and she found herself in the leadership position of the Officers Wives Club and other groups on post. Bettye tackled these challenges with good humor and a humble, willing attitude and won the hearts and respect of the women with whom she worked.

During those years they were blessed with three beautiful daughters: Barbara Lynn (1945), Linda Jane (1948) and Patricia Jean (1952). Raising, loving and supporting her daughters and their families became Bettye’s life work. Her eight grandchildren: Evan, Jeanne, Paul, and Anne Morrison (Barbara’s and Jim’s); Olivia and Andrew Erickson (Linda’s and Rob’s); and Maggie and Sally (Patricia’s and Rick’s) knew and loved Bettye as their wonderful “Grammy”. She was the kind of Grammy who helped build a warren of blanket tents and could be found reading to the happy campers by flashlight. She was the Grammy who always had the yummy treats she knew they didn’t get at home. She was the Grammy who would sleep in the bunk bed on Christmas Eve.

In the summer of 1998 when Bettye and Rip were retired and living in Colorado Springs, they attended their first Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah. This became an annual gathering place for Bettye and Rip and daughters with their families from Bountiful, UT, Helena, MT, and Houston, TX. Festival attendance evolved into a 24-year summer tradition of gathering for five days in August for plays, seminars and hiking. Bettye was instrumental in its success and longevity. She and Rip hosted as “Lord Robert and Lady Bettye” for the week. Their room was the “hospitality pub” where treats abounded and where the family found themselves between plays “Making merry, always merry!” to quote William Shakespeare.

Bettye loved a good joke and would join in the laughter even if the jesting was directed her way. She always managed to not take herself too seriously and enjoy a good laugh. It seems that was a winning strategy for living a remarkably healthy life.

Bettye never failed to nurture, faithfully support and delight in those in her care. Her daughters and extended family and friends (in need and indeed) all experienced her bustling hospitality and willingness and desire to help. For Bettye, love was an action verb.

Bettye is dearly loved and is survived by her three daughters and their husbands and by her eight grandchildren: Evan Morrison (Trish), Jeanne Morrison Groberg (Jon), Paul Morrison (Kim), Anne Morrison King (Benji), Olivia Erickson, Andy Erickson, Maggie Hughes, and Sally Hughes. They will remember Grammy for the special person she was in their lives and her unconditional love for them.

Also surviving Bettye are her sister-in-law Sally Alexander Bean; two nephews: Col. Robert A. Bean (Jane), and Dr. Robert R. Rietz (Elaine); two nieces: Leslie Bean Gottesmann (Rob) and Janet Rietz Tschabrun (Bob, deceased); and 15 great-grandchildren who know her as “GG”: Mike and Sara Morrison; Elizabeth, Lucy, Scott, and Mason Groberg; Adam, Darren, Catherine, and Madeline Morrison; and Carson, Dixie, Ruby, Lily, and Emmett King.

Bettye joins her mother and father; her brothers Emmett Charles Bean and Richard James Bean; and her great-granddaughter Melissa, daughter of Evan and Emily Morrison, who returned to her Heavenly Father in November of 2000 at the age of two.

Our sadness at the loss of our dear Mother, Grammy, Aunt, Cousin, and Friend is mitigated by the knowledge that she was ready to leave her broken body and this fallen world behind for the arms of her Heavenly Father. He loves her much more than we can even imagine.

We are deeply grateful to the Staff of Legacy House of Bountiful. Bettye delighted in their loving care during these last two and a half years. We are grateful to Bettye’s friends in Legacy House, especially Daryl and Gracie, who lovingly looked out for her during her bouts of confusion. And much love goes out to long-time friends who faithfully visited Bettye in her apartment there ~ #104. We express our love and gratitude to our cousin Janet Rietz Tschabrun who loved her Aunt Bettye and became an important part of Bettye’s care in the last weeks. As well as to IHC Home Care and Hospice whose skill was critical in helping Bettye to be much more peaceful and comfortable in her final days.

On a future date we will organize a memorial service for Bettye at the U.S. Military Academy, Old Cadet Chapel Columbarium, West Point, New York. Dad is already inurned in the Columbarium under the Old Cadet Chapel. A place is waiting for Mom beside him.

Friends and neighbors are welcome to visit with our family at Russon Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main on Friday, August 6, 2021, from 7-8 PM.