Bettie L. (Bird) Howard

Did my best. Time to rest.

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Bettie L. (Bird) Howard passed away peacefully at her home in Salt Lake City on March 5, 2023 at age 99. A graveside service for family was held on March 10. Born in a farmhouse in Layton, UT on September 26, 1923 to Joseph M. and Frances B. Bird, Bettie grew up in Salt Lake City, graduating from West High School. She married Robert F. Howard on March 6, 1942. In their 46 years together, they shared a life of love, common sense and good humor including great times with family and a wide circle of dear friends.

Bettie worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in Salt Lake City, where she retired after 24 years. She served as executive secretary to the head of the branch and secretary to the board of directors.

She enjoyed cooking and was the ultimate hostess. She and Bob hosted friends for dinner parties on a regular basis and Bettie made sure that everything was just right but was always welcoming and relaxed with her guests. While working full-time, she always prepared a healthy, delicious dinner for her family by cooking large batches in advance and freezing them. She eventually wrote a cookbook for busy homemakers on the subject of cooking well by doing as much as possible in advance.

Bettie loved the beauty of nature and noted often how grateful she was to enjoy such a lovely mountain view and open skies with fluffy white clouds. She collected seashells for years, appreciating the beauty and uniqueness of each one. Her favorite animal was the giraffe with its elegant neck and long eyelashes. In her later years, she wrote lovely poetry, expressing her thoughts on life.

Bettie is survived by her loving daughters Judy Howard Palmer (David) of Scottsdale, AZ and Mindy Howard Erickson (Mike), of Seattle, WA, a nephew and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, parents and brothers Elzy J. Bird and Edward Allen Bird.

On behalf of Bettie, her daughters give special thanks to key people in her later life: A dear friend, Jaylene Chandler (almost daughter) for her loving care and assistance over the past several years, Merida Brooks for her cheerful help with her home and in many other ways, and Federica Auger a special, loving caregiver who became especially close in recent years.

Bettie’s daughters are very grateful for having the best mother possible. Just to have known her would have been a privilege but to have her loving care, influence and example from birth for more than 70 years was an absolute treasure. In some cases, their friends said this was the mother they wish they could have had. She was such a gracious and naturally warm person that she attracted other kind, thoughtful, fun-loving people to her. She was a wonder of positive thoughts and inspiration to all who knew her. The feeling might best be summed up as follows: “Nobody doesn’t love you, Mom.”