Elizabeth Kathleen 'Betty Pritchard Biewen Biewen

Elizabeth Kathleen Pritchard Biewen was born in Oklahoma City, OK September 7, 1943. She passed away peacefully on February 19, 2014 in Albuquerque, NM with family by her side. Betty had a lifelong connection to Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City. Her parents, Thomas B. and Elizabeth Grover Pritchard, who preceded her in death, were founding members of the parish. Betty was a graduate of Christ the King Elementary School and graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School in 1961. Betty attended Barat College of the Sacred Heart, Lake Forest, IL and Oklahoma City University, where she studied voice. Betty later lived in the San Francisco Bay and Chicago areas, returning with her family to Oklahoma City in 1984 to operate Pritchard Electric Company, founded by her father in 1931. Most important, Betty was passionate about her children and their education. She was active in their parishes and Catholic schools in Chicago and Oklahoma City. Betty was devoted to her mother during her long battle with Alzheimer's. Although Betty herself experienced health issues throughout her life, she exhibited a feisty strength and determination to live. She enjoyed time with friends in Oklahoma City playing cards, traveling and laughing. She was a docent at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. She particularly enjoyed the opportunities to attend her daughter's wedding in Italy, celebrate her 70th Birthday and last Christmas with her family, and a fall weekend with her cousins in OKC. Her hobbies included reading, cooking, crafts and decorating. Throughout her life, many pets brought her great joy; her cat, Tom, was by her side as she passed. Betty is survived by her three children: Liz Wilson (Ed), Erie, CO; Tyson Biewen (Bella), Albuquerque, NM; and Sarah Biewen (Matteo), Florence, Italy. She leaves three grandchildren: Amaia and Nick Biewen and Annika Wilson and her cousins and lifelong friends: Gretchen Harris, Norman, OK; Peggy Carter (Garland), Clifton, VA and Mary Firestone (Rick), Contra Costa, CA. Close family friend, Lt. Col. (USAF) Eric Murphy (Rachel), always brought a smile to her face and love to her heart. The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff and friends from the OU Stephenson Cancer Center, Susie McGuire, and Good Shepherd Hospice in OKC and Zia Hospice and Brookdale Place of Albuquerque. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8005 Dorset Drive, Oklahoma City, on March 8 at 10:00AM. Interment will be at Rose Hill Burial Park alongside her parents. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to these organizations: Free To Live Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 5884, Edmond, Oklahoma 73083, www.freetoliveok.org. For online donations, click "Add special instructions" box and include "In Memory of Betty Biewen" in message. For a gift for pancreatic cancer research to the Stephenson Cancer Center at OU, make secure online donations at www.oumedicine.com/cancer/make-a-contribution/memorial-gifts (enter "Fund 50884") or send a check, payable to OU Foundation to Stephenson Cancer Center, PO Box 26901, OKC, OK 73126. Memo: Fund 50884, In Memory of Betty Biewen.