Diana Y. Bettencourt

Diana Y. (Coito) Bettencourt

     Born April 15th, 1930 in Honolulu Hawaii. Diana was the youngest of 12 siblings and was the last surviving sibling. Her Great Grand-parents and Grand-parents migrated from the Azores Islands of Portugal to Honolulu Hawaii in 1884 enduring over 74 days at sea before their arrival. Living the island life as a young girl at the age of 11, she witnessed the Japanese planes flying over her parent’s house on the way to bombing Pearl Harbor.

     After high school she met her life’s partner and love Manuel (Manny) H. Bettencourt where they later married on July 7th, 1951 in Honolulu. Manuel and Diana had 4 children. Manuel served in the Army and was stationed in many places thru his career including overseas. Diana was the rock that held the family together thru the moves and changes in their lives. As exemplified while serving in Japan Diana was 7 months pregnant when Manny was in the hospital with a bleeding ulcer and came close to death. Diana held the family together while caring for her husband and delivering a healthy child despite all the stress that was going on around her. They lived in Hawaii, Japan, Texas, California and Maryland before settling in Chico California in 1974 after Manny’s retirement. She fell in love with Chico after living here briefly when Manuel was deployed to Vietnam in 1968.

Diana enjoyed her life in Chico and was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church along with helping with her children’s sports teams. She had many talents and enjoyed crafting, cooking and gardening at her home, which she loved. After the death of her beloved Manuel after 55yrs of marriage in 2006, she started a new chapter in her life. She adapted to be independent, even driving at age of 76, from Chico to Portland Oregon by herself to attend her son’s wedding. 

      Diana besides being a great wife, mom and grandma her greatest attribute was her kind and gentle soul. No one could ever say they didn’t like Diana. She will live in the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She will be missed.

     She is survived by her 4 Children, 9 Grand Children, 10 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Grandchild.

Ken (73) and wife Joy Bettencourt who live in Kansas with 3 Grand Children, 6 Great Grand Children and 1 Great-Great Grandchild.

Gail (71) and husband Gary Parrish who live in Georgia with 2 Grand Children and one Great Grandchild.

Dean (68) and wife Leianna Bettencourt who live in San Diego with one Grandchild.

Neal (61) and wife Tamara Bettencourt who live in Chico with 3 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren.