Betty Presnar Zelic

Betty Presnar Zelic, 79, passed away at home in Alcalde, on Saturday, June 1st, 2019. Betty was born on December 31, 1939 in New Castle, PA to Alex and Mary Duda Presnar. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Robert and William (Porky) Presnar and grandson Daniel Paul Zelic. As we all know, Betty always put others before herself and was a very thoughtful person. Two of her favorite sayings were "every day is Thanksgiving" and "every day is Christmas" meaning every day is a day for giving THANKS and every day is a day for GIVING. Anytime Betty had visitors she had to send them away with something, even if it was just as simple as a twinkie, a soda, or cookies. Betty loved the outdoors and basking in the sun. She loved going for pinon and going for wood. She also liked going to the lake or river to watch us fish. Grandma loved eating pinon, popcorn, corn on the cob, watermelon, and beef jerky. Betty would say she was eating candy when she would eat fresh fried squash and cherry tomatoes. Betty also loved drinking coffee all day long. Betty also loved watching football and especially her Pittsburgh Steelers. Betty would say "if times ever get hard, don't worry, have faith, God will take care of you in the same way he takes care of the wild birds." One of her hobbies was feeding the wild birds and watching them fly around the back yard. Except the pheasant, he never flew, just walked around and she would get so excited at how beautiful he was. One year, Betty had over 20 hummingbirds at one time in the backyard fighting to eat. So.. We had to get more feeders. Betty loved her hummingbirds. Betty also loved planting and watering her flowers. Betty also enjoyed her "therapy session" at the casino and she looked forward to receiving one or two letters a week from her special aunt, Aunt Dorothy. To pass the time, Betty would make puzzles, the more pieces, the better. Betty would watch and pray the rosary at least twice a day, say her stack of prayers in the morning and in the evening. We have no doubt in our mind where Betty is today, as awkward as it is, we fully understand why she would request no rosary and no funeral mass. She was ready to meet our Heavenly Father and had no doubt she would be able to do just that. Betty probably said enough prayers for all of us here today to cover for many years to come. She had a few saints that she would ask for help from, but so many times we witnessed the evidence of St. Anthony and St. Therese's help. She always wore her medals and felt empty when they would temporarily get lost after falling off her clothing. Which reminds me of another saying she used to say when we would ask her opinion on what we were wearing that day. Betty would say "as long as you are wearing a smile on your face, you will look great." Over the years, many of us learned that if there was a way to get something done, even if it seemed impossible, Betty would find a way. There were times we would ask Betty how did this or that get done? She would laugh and say "Oh.. Juanito helped me." For a while we really wondered if Juanito existed, but he didn't and little by little we would learn some of her tricks, and a trickster she was! So, we learned not to ever give up trying to make something happen, think outside the box, there is a way, just need to figure it out. Betty would also remind us "remember, don't taken any wooden nickels" and "stop feeding Reddy Kilowatt" when we would leave the lights on! Betty looked forward to making her early morning wake up call to her son Dann telling him "good morning, have a good day" because it brightened her day. She loved her grandkids very dearly. Whenever anyone was sad or feeling down, Betty would say "Smile, Jesus Loves You and I do too!" Betty is survived by her son Dann Zelic and his wife Lori of Alcalde, NM; granddaughters: Cynthia (Trevor) Davis, Melissa (Lance) Darnell; great grandkids: Daniel Zelic, Charly, Chase, Cooper, and Lanissa Darnell, and Nathaniel Mascarenas who she also considered a grandson; as well as the following relatives from Pennsylvania; niece Vickie Presnar; nephews: Robert, AJ, and Brendan Presnar; great nieces: Tori and Taylor Gouza, Stephanie and Ashleigh Presnar and great nephews: Robert and Thomas Presnar. Betty also had many other special people in her life: aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Pallbearers: Daniel Zelic, Nathaniel Mascarenas, Jason Duda, Rusty Guillen, Trevor Davis and Lance Darnell Honorary Pallbearers: Marie Duda, Autumn Vigil, and Edward Duda Jr. At Betty's request, there will be no Rosary or Funeral Mass. There will be a viewing on Wednesday, June 5th, 2019 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Riverside Funeral Home Chapel in Santa Fe. There will be a final viewing at the Morada de Alcalde behind St. Anne's Church on Thursday from 9:00 am - 10:30 am, with burial to follow at the La Villita cemetery at 11:00 am. Arrangements entrusted to the caring professionals of Riverside Funeral Home of Santa Fe 3232 Cerrillos Road (505) 395-9150