Betty Jean (Buzby) Wells

Lifelong Alaskan and longtime Valdez resident Betty Jean (Buzby) Wells, 91, died Feb. 23, 2013, at the Wickersham House in Wasilla.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be announced in the spring. Betty will be laid to rest next to her husband, Max, at Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery.

Betty was born April 14, 1921, to Jayson Grant and Mary Isabel (Croucher) Buzby in Fairbanks. She spent three childhood years in Manley Hot Springs and graduated from Fairbanks High School in 1938. She also attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Betty and Max were married Jan. 28, 1940, in Fairbanks. They spent their honeymoon attending the Fur Rondy traveling via train to Anchorage. They were married for 67 years. Betty had a quiet strength and faith that carried her through many difficult times, including the 1964 earthquake. She and Max lost many friends, but also their home and place of business. Betty lived in Tillamook, Ore., but most of her adult years were spent in Valdez, 1952 to 2012. Betty was a teacher at Growden-Harrison Elementary School in Valdez for eight years.

She was a member of the Oasis Christian Center in Valdez and Pioneers of Alaska, Ladies Auxiliary Women’s Igloo No. 2. Betty was Mother of the Year in Valdez as well as state of Alaska Mother of the Year in 1964. She enjoyed time with family, embroidery, oil painting, gardening, puzzles, traveling and music. Kids, grandkids and great-grandkids always knew the cookie jar was full at grandma’s house. She was the epitome of Alaskan hospitality.

“Better known to many as ‘Grandma Bino,’ mom was much loved and respected not only by her family, but also by friends, neighbors and former students,” her family wrote. “After dad’s retirement, they traveled worldwide. Mom’s favorite trip was to Australia because it was so ‘unique.’ In Egypt, dad turned down an offer of five camels for his ‘Dolly!’ Mom was proud to be a granddaughter of Alaska Pioneer Harry Elton Buzby, who came to Alaska as a gold miner in 1898. Mom’s story appeared in her own words in the Anchorage Daily News March 2, 2003, under Alaskana, ‘Shaken Up’ by Sharon Bushell.”

“Today is so bittersweet,” wrote granddaughter, Shannon Wells Major. “We had to say goodbye to the gentlest soul I’ve ever known. Grandma left this aching world to spend eternity in Heaven.”

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sisters; Barbara Boyle and Esther Redhead; brothers; George G and Ronald H Buzby; husband, Max H. Wells; and son, Theodore M. Wells.

She is survived by her daughters, Lynn Bellezza and Mary Wegner of Anchorage, Jean Sutton of Clarkston, Wash., Grace Brayton of Juneau and Laura Lappies of Eagle River; sons, Jason C. Wells of Wasilla and David R. Wells of Valdez; 24 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; sister, Robyn McFetridge of North Pole; brother, Samuel L. Buzby of Newman Lake, Wash.; aunt, Mildred “Tiny” Buzby (age 97) of Wasilla; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Full Gospel Church, P.O. Box 873060, Wasilla, AK 99687.

Arrangements were cared for by the Anchorage Funeral Home. Please visit Betty’s obituary and online guestbook at AlaskanFuneral.com.