Betty Smith Chase

Funeral services for Betty Chase will be broadcast on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 beginning at 11:00 AM MST. Please see the screen below to watch this service.

In the early morning of Friday, May 21, 2021, Betty Smith Chase passed away peacefully in Peoria, Arizona. She was diagnosed nearly three years prior with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a rare form of frontotemporal dementia. The onset of her disease was likely many years before. The disease overwhelmed her body and mind but Betty bravely lived every day. Until the time of her death, Betty always recalled her loved ones, especially her sisters, Joanne and Carole, and her mother, who died when Betty was 12.

Betty was born in Lehi, Utah on March 5, 1937 to Nioma Davis and Douglas Smith. She was actively involved in student government and athletics at Lehi High School. She loved all sports, especially tennis and basketball. Unfortunately, girls were not allowed to play competitive high school sports during Betty’s sophomore and junior years. Around the same time, the district also changed the girls basketball rules that only allowed them to play half court. All this was very disappointing to Betty but during her senior year the rules changed once again when girls were able to play competitive basketball “winning all games except for one close game.” Later in life she loved to golf and spent many hours on the green with her husband, Dave and son, Russell. Betty also loved watching her favorite teams, BYU and the Utah Jazz, and would often stay up late watching games, even into her later years.

Betty received an elementary education degree in 1959 from Brigham Young University. She taught second grade for over 30 years in California, Arizona and Utah. She was always very proud of her career and she beamed when talking about it.

In 1962, Betty married David Chase in the Manti Utah LDS Temple. They had their only child, Russell, in 1966. Betty and Dave settled in South Jordan, Utah where they lived for over 50 years in the same home. Many of her neighbors and people from church became cherished friends.

Betty and her little family spent many summers camping, fishing and hiking together or with extended family. She never forgot the hike they took on the Angels Landing trail in Southern Utah. To illustrate Betty’s competitive nature, Betty wrote, “...the last half mile is across a narrow sandstone ridge … at different places it’s only a few feet wide with sheer drop-offs at either side. There are chains to help the hikers pull themselves up the steep cliff. A warning sign is posted at this point stating—“Not for children and only for experienced hikers!” When I saw this sign I decided I wasn’t going any further but an older lady coming down the path told me that it wasn’t that hard. I found out it was very, very difficult and dangerous.” Betty wasn’t about to let an “older lady” show her up.

Betty's pride and joy was her family and especially her four granddaughters. With Dave, Betty supported them in every aspect of their lives, from childhood to adulthood. When her granddaughters were young, Betty would spoil them with gifts, treats at the gas station after picking them up from dance class, Michelina’s macaroni and cheese meals in front of the television watching “The Berenstain Bears” on VHS. When Russell and his family lived in Boise for a time, Betty and Dave would individually host their granddaughters every summer in Utah and treat them to swim, tennis, golf and art lessons. Trips to the Family History Center, Clark Planetarium, Thanksgiving Point, movie theatre, Blockbuster and the gas station for treats were the norm during all visit’s to Grandma’s house. Betty would also host her granddaughter’s cousins for sleepovers during these trips. All the girls loved visiting “Grandma and Grandpa Chase.” Betty never missed a concert, recital or game so long as her health allowed it. As Betty’s granddaughter’s grew up, visits to Betty’s home to do homework, relax, eat “Cafe Ria” together, watch sports games or Hallmark movies and end the night with a full gas tank became the norm.

Betty’s granddaughters are eternally indebted to their "Grandma Chase." Her home, kindness and Christ-like love was a refuge from the storm of life and they miss her dearly.

Betty is survived by her son, Russell (Angie); sister, Joanne and granddaughters, Megan (Chris), Amanda, Katie and Emily. Preceded in death by her husband, David; parents and siblings, Janet, Nora, Clifford and Carole.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 11:00 am (MDT) at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, Utah. Friends and family are also invited to a viewing prior to the service from 9:30 am to 10:45 am (MDT). Interment will follow the service at the Lehi City Cemetery. For those who are unable to attend in person, a live broadcast (and recording) of the funeral service can be found at https://www.facebook.com/jenkinssoffefuneralhome/ Condolences may be shared at https://www.jenkins-soffe.com/

The Chase family wishes to sincerely thank Simona and John Duican, Betty's caretakers for the last two months. Simona and John selflessly loved and cared for Betty in their own home like she was a beloved member of their family. They cared for her like we would have wanted to, had we had the capacity to do so. We are eternally indebted to them for the incredible amount of patience, kindness, advocacy, compassion and Christ-like love shown by them to Betty. She would often tell them, “I love you." At these times, her language was very clear. There is no doubt Betty was well aware of the gift she was receiving. We can’t imagine Betty being in a better place as she progressed in her journey back to Heaven.