LEIVAS, Betty Rebecca

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from April 20 to April 29, 2012 - Betty Rebecca Leivas, age 84, a 22-year resident of Bullhead City, Ariz., died Thursday, April 12, 2012, at home with her family by her side. Betty was born April 18, 1927, in Ipswich, England, to Birdie and Ellen Branch. She met and married her husband, Bob, in 1945 during World War II. She was one of the many war brides who left her native country behind traveling by ship to Ellis Island. From there she took a train, and joined Bob in California, where they would build their home and raise their four children. Betty always showed pride in her British heritage, making many return trips to visit her family, but one of her proudest moments was becoming a United States citizen in 1964. In 1990, Betty and Bob decided to make Bullhead City their home, and would enjoy the visits they welcomed from family and friends. Betty was an excellent cook whether it was enchiladas, spaghetti or her pork roast with Yorkshire pudding and gravy! Her skill at knitting and crocheting was amazing, and she loved to make items for others at Christmas and holidays, knowing her gifts gave others such great pleasure. "You will be forever loved and in our hearts." Betty was preceded in death by her father, Birdie Charles Branch; her mother, Ellen Beatrice Branch; her sister, Renee; two brothers, Harry and Gerald; and her daughter-in-law, LuAnn. Betty is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Robert Leivas; three sons, Paul (Becky) of Snowflake, Ariz., Alan (Diane) of Parump, Nev., and David of Fort Mohave, Ariz.; daughter, Linda of Bullhead City; nine grandchildren, Jenny, Pauley, Rachel, Katie, Lizzie, Daniel, Shelly, Daniel and Nicholas; nine great-grandchildren; and many nephews, nieces and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held for close family and friends, Saturday May 5, 2012.