Betsey Anne Hallila, 83

Betsey Anne Hallila, of Whitehall, found her angel wings on November 27, 2021, passing quietly and peacefully with her son and daughter by her side.

Betsey was born on December 12, 1937, in Winooski, Vermont. She was the youngest of seven children who all grew up in Florida. She married Calvin Hartford; after her divorce, she moved to Montana, where she raised her five children.

Betsey was a strong, independent woman who had various jobs in the restaurant business, as a CNA in multiple hospitals, as a Physical Therapy Aide, and finally retiring as an RCA from MDC.

Betsey was a very active woman who was involved in many hobbies throughout her life. She enjoyed her bowling league, knitting, crocheting, cooking, and playing softball with her kids.

One of her true passions developed after she married the love of her life, Larry Hallila. Together they bought property in Whitehall, and she started collecting a variety of animals. Her compassion and caring blossomed for the animals she adopted from cats, dogs, goats, chickens, pigs, and even squirrels, to name a few.

Her children and grandchildren were the core of her life. She loved spending time with them, teaching them, and instilling values and morals that are carried on today through them. Her strong beliefs in family came from her Hawaiian heritage.

She will be missed by her children: Stephan Hartford (Donna) with seven children, 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; Robert Hartford (DeeDee) with two children, and four grandchildren; Don Hartford (Brenda) with six children, and 11 grandchildren; Brian Hartford (Robin) with three children, and five grandchildren; Maria Hartford (Kelly) with three children, and seven grandchildren; and Chris Alexander (Susie) with four children and nine grandchildren.

Betsey has joined her love Larry Hallila and her son Dondi Hartford, who greeted her.

Kakou Ohana: we are family, always together, never forgotten. Aloha, until we meet again.

A Remembrance of Life will be held on December 4, 2021, at 11 AM at 30 Leppala Lane in Whitehall, MT.