Margaret Elizabeth “Betty”” Gallow Bazzi
Margaret Elizabeth “Betty” Gallow Bazzi passed away in the early hours of September 8. She went, as she would say it, “to the next world” in the same way she lived her life in this world, with peace, compassion, love for all, zest for life and a deep spirituality that was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her.
She was born to Walter and Elizabeth Gallow in Winnipeg, Canada. She never lost her love of the “prairie” and to her last days fondly recalled her love of the winters she experienced as a child growing up. When her sister moved to Santa Barbara to marry, her mother encouraged her to follow. She did and eventually met Joseph Bazzi, the son of Italian immigrants. They had three children and were married for almost 57 years at the time of Joe’s death in 2007. Betty spent the remainder of her life in Santa Barbara. Betty’s life was taken up with her family and the other great love of her life…her art.
A life-long self-taught artist, her paintings have been exhibited around Santa Barbara and Goleta throughout the years. She was a charter member of the Goleta Art Association and participated in Gallery 113 since its founding. Over forty years she attended art classes through the Adult Education and made many lifelong friendships with fellow local artists. Her plein air watercolor landscapes of local scenes beautifully captured the scenic appeal of the Santa Barbara area.
Betty was an active person, ice-skating and playing softball in her youth, swimming in the ocean in her adult years, riding her bicycle until she was 86, and making a daily loop around the block with her walker and regularly attending the Goleta Senior Center dances into her 90’s. Above all, Betty was a beautiful and gracious soul who blessed all who met her with her warm heart, love of life and gratefulness.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph; son, Dean Paul Bazzi; parents, Walter and Elizabeth Gallow; sister, Miriam “Myrnie” Boaden.
She is survived by her daughter Linda Bernson of Santa Barbara; son and daughter-in-law Craig and Gail Bazzi of Silverton, Oregon; grandchildren, Rachel Bernson, Jessica (John) Gill, Tyler Bazzi, Grace (Nathanael) Parson, and Julianne (David) Reeher; great-grandchildren, Alexa Sanchez, Dillon Fogarty, Caitlin Gill, Lauren Gill, Solomon Parson and Rainer Parson.
In lieu of gifts/flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara whose wonderful staff provided such compassionate care in her last days. Online at www.vnhcsb.org or by mail to VNHC Foundation, 509 East Montecito Street, Suite 200 Santa Barbara, CA 93103