Betty Faye (Rimer) Thorpe

Betty Faye Rimer Thorpe, age 95, of Snowflake, AZ passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025, just a few days short of her 96th birthday.  Betty was born to Helen Pearl Howell Rimer and Elmer LeRoy Rimer on March 30, 1929 in St. Charles, Illinois.

She had two brothers, one died at birth. She grew up having many aunts and uncles. Her father had 7 brothers and 6 sisters. Her mother had one living brother.

Betty had many fond memories of spending time with her mother. They dressed up, wore beautiful hats and enjoyed shows in the city.  Bettys family gardened an acre of land and shared produce with neighbors and family for many years. While participating in high school in the Girl Scouts, she was the secretary and treasurer.

She lived through the depression era and also World War 2. She has told stories about how their family would use "ration books" containing stamps while purchasing certain food items. They would donate to the war efforts. Most of her teenage years, her father was in the Navy, service being stationed on war ships.

She played the violin from 4th grade into high school. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading and painting. She saw the world in color.  Over the years she painted many oil and water paintings of nature, flowers and abstract work. She water painted so many cards that were sold and given for then enjoyment of others.  Betty taught art lessons at the community center of her mobile home park where she lived in Petaluma, California.

Betty worked as switchboard telephone operator and she worked at a chocolate factory making and selling chocolates.

She was part of the Methodist Church until 1968, then the Lutheran Church until 1971, and has been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since then.

In September 1967 she met the love of her life, Ernest John Thorpe, and they were married in Carson City, Nevada on November 11, 1967. On November 30, 1972, they were sealed in the Oakland Temple.

Ernie and Betty arrived in Snowflake on November 29, 2001 and moved into their home in Snowflake. Over the years, they supported sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, they worked in the laundry at the Snowflake Temple and often invited others to their home.

Betty and Ernie loved their pet dogs, took great care of them and enjoyed planting flowers and working in their yard.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Ernest John Thorpe in 2012. Ernie and Betty had developed loving relationships that have endured over the years.

She was recently preceded in death by her younger brother Ronald Howell Rimer, of Colorado who called her often. She enjoyed their conversations.

Over the years, relationships with her close friends, church members, her cousins, and with hospice and care home staff members have filled her life with purpose and joy. She was a grandmother, mother, and a great listener to many. She will be missed.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 3:00pm at the Mike Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake, Arizona. She will be buried next to her sweet husband Ernie.

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