Betty Anne Martell-Husted

Betty Anne Martell-Husted 95 of Fort Collins, passed away April 11, 2016. Betty Anne was born September 19, 1920 at home in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Her parents were Ace and Nelle Gillett. She grew up in Fort Morgan where her father owned the Navajo restaurant and a car dealership. Betty Anne was a Camp Fire Girl and she continued friendships with that group through the present. She graduated from Fort Morgan High School in 1938 and attended all of her high school reunions through the 71st celebration. The Gillett's moved to Fort Collins in 1940 to run the restaurant in the Northern Hotel. Ace later bought both the Northern and Armstrong Hotels. Betty Anne began her college career at Colorado College where she was a member of the Gamma Phi Sorority and the Colorado College Drama Club. She worked at the Northern Hotel and graduated from Colorado A & M in 1942 with a B.S. in Sociology. She returned to Colorado College and completed a Master's Degree in Sociology in 1947. Betty Anne married James J. Martell in 1949 at Cathedral Chapel in Los Angeles, CA. They made their home in Kremmling, CO, San Diego, CA and settled in Fort Collins in 1953. James passed away in 1979. Betty Anne married Dr. Joel Husted, a Colorado College friend, in 1993. He proceeded her in death in 2002.

She is survived by her son, James A. Martell (Christy), daughter Mary Anne Martell (Ed Harris), daughter Patty Martell, and grandson Antonio Martell-Rodriguez all of Fort Collins.

Betty Anne was a 5th grade teacher at St. Joseph's School from 1961-1964. She was a sales manager for World Book Encyclopedia for four years until she became an administrative assistant for Gasamat Company until 1984. She was also a travel agent for Rocky Mountain Travel King and thoroughly enjoyed her trips to Ireland, England, Mexico, and to C.S.U. football games. During her retirement she worked part time at Anheuser Busch as a tour guide. Volunteering and contributing to the Fort Collins community was important to Betty Anne. She helped organize the St. Joseph's Christmas Bazaar and volunteered for the St. Rita's Altar and Rosary Society. She volunteered for the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau, Democratic Party, and she was active in the CSU Alumni Association and Gamma Phi Beta sorority at CSU. Betty Anne was a long standing member and officer of Quota Club International of Fort Collins. She thoroughly enjoyed her many social connections with Birthday Club, and book clubs. She was a passionate and loyal CSU Ram fan and avid member of the CSU Ram Club. Betty Anne participated in all activities while living at The Worthington and New Mercer Commons and especially enjoyed riding on the Columbine floats in the Homecoming parades and playing darts with the CSU Men's Basketball Team. Betty Anne loved to attend and cheer for her grandson at all of his sporting events. She enjoyed knitting, needlepoint, reading, family vacations in California and dressing up for any holiday. She had a real zest for life, was a very positive, spunky woman who never lost her sense of humor and dearly loved her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Betty Anne at Café Vino on Sunday, April 17th 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Colorado State University Foundation in support of the CSU Alumni Association.