Betty Trzcinski

Betty Trzcinski, of Sedona Arizona, passed away on Tuesday, February 24, 2015, in Bellingham, Washington. She was born May 13, 1928, in Clovis, New Mexico to Barney and Clejo Bocock. When Betty was 16 years old, she met the love of her life, Zigmunt J. Trzcinski in Valmora sanitarium while they were both being treated for tuberculosis. Betty and Ziggy loved each other so much they clung to life and faced the world together. Betty and Ziggy married in 1947 and had two children, Henry John and Patricia Ann Trzcinski. Both Betty and Ziggy taught their children and grandchildren the importance of education, learning, and loving their families. The first in her family to pursue a college degree, Betty graduated with high distinction from Arizona State University in 1962. She taught elementary school, became a reading specialist, and then earned her masters degree in education in 1967. Betty was ahead of her time with combining motor skills with teaching methods that she developed to improve children’s reading readiness. Recognized as an outstanding teacher in exceptional education, Betty wrote a book for children entitled, All About Me, Myself, and I, published by Academic Therapy in 1973. The pinnacle of Betty’s teaching career was as the Director of the Yavapai Adult Learning Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, from 1973 – 1982, focusing on teaching English as a Second Language and GED, primarily for Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees. Betty was ahead of her time when it came to wisdom and to leading the family in a spiritual pursuit of life, framed in love, forgiveness, and gratitude. She prized creativity in everyone and she was an accomplished artist of portraits and landscapes. Above all, she was wise, caring, and a great listener and encourager — gifts that will be missed. Betty was preceded in death by her husband and soul mate, Zigmunt Trzcinski, her parents Barney and Clejo, her brother, Barney Bocock (Laveena). Betty is survived by her son, Hank Trzcinski (Nancy) of Pennsylvania, her daughter, Patricia Onion (Charles) of Washington, her five grandchildren, Diana Parham (Joe) of California; Sarah Onion of California, Jaclyn Onion (John McMahon) of Washington, Matthew Trzcinski and Christine Trzcinski of Pennsylvania, her great grandson Sean Charles Onion McMahon as well as cousins, nieces, nephews and long time friends. A burial ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 11:00am at the Sedona Community Cemetery in Sedona, Arizona. Memorials may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250; DAV.org

Betty Trzcinski

May 13, 1928 - February 24, 2015