“Grandma Betty” Betty passed away at home on June 27, 2018 at the age of 93. She was born on October 26, 1924 to Jack and Rose Miller Giacomo and was very proud of her Italian/German ancestry. Betty graduated from South High School in the class of 1941 and attended the University of Utah at the age of 17.
At the onset of WWII, she chose to become a Civil Service employee as a clerk typist and then advanced to clerk stenographer in the Judge Advocate Department at Fort Douglas. Part of her ten years at Fort Douglas was the assignment as military court reporter. During this time she met Marvin Damron.
After his discharge from the Army they were married on June 3, 1946 and later had three children, Annette “Annie”, Marilyn, and Mark. As Marv’s business career progressed, they lived in many parts of the United States – Idaho, Iowa, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and California. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Betty was grateful for her callings as pianist or music director in wards and branches of the Church.
Betty enjoyed playing the piano, sewing, embroidery, and making doll clothes. She considered typing, shorthand, and writing family stories as her main skills, but her greatest love was for her family. She was an ardent letter writer and kept in touch with many friends in various cities where they had lived.
For many years she derived great pleasure in using her shorthand skills to record and transcribe confirmation and baby blessings as well as other blessings of ordination. After 40 years of moving due to Marv’s work, they returned to their home roots in Salt Lake City and enjoyed six years with family until Marv passed away in 2006, just five months short of their 60th wedding anniversary. Betty had a rich relationship with a whole generation of great-grandchildren who knew and loved her as G-Betty.
Most “boomers” never even met their great-grandparents. Betty is survived by her children: Annie (Mark) Janke, Marilyn (Lee) White, Mark (Denise) Damron; brothers Don (Colene) and Alan (Vicki deceased); 12 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marv; parents, and brother, Mick (Helga) Giacomo.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Olympus 3rd Ward, 4100 South Camille Street (2480 East), Holladay, Utah. A viewing will be held on Sunday, July 1, 2018 at Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment: Salt Lake City Cemetery.
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