Betty Jean Pelka

In Loving Memory Of

Betty Jean Pelka

We lost our beloved Betty Jean (Hurley) Pelka (68 years-too-young), on December 19, 2017. She was not ill, however, passed away most unexpectedly but peacefully in her sleep after having had a wonderful day with her family.

Betty is survived by her loving husband, David Pelka, her loving son, Eric Pelka, his wife Nicole Seruto, their two daughters, Abigail (12) and Charlotte (7), her adoring daughter, Suzanne Pelka, and her two sons (with Shannon Herbert), Gabriel (5) and Lucas (3). Betty is survived by her mother, Helen Hurley (96) and predeceased by father, Larry Hurley. She leaves behind her sister, Sheila Ewin, and her two brothers Ken and Lee Hurley and many other beloved relatives.

Betty Jean was born on March 28th 1949 In Iowa City, Iowa. Her Navy family moved often but ultimately settled in Redlands, CA just as she started middle school. Betty Jean Hurley was a proud graduate of Redlands High School (1967) and recently attended her 40th HS reunion. Betty met her true and life-long love, David, in Riverside while he was in graduate school at UCR getting his Ph.D. in Physics. Betty and David married in 1969 and moved to Playa del Rey, CA. They ultimately settled into a long and happy life, living in the same wonderful home in Westchester for over 44 years, active parishioners of Visitation Church.

Betty treasured her family and friends above all else in life. She loved being Suzanne and Eric’s Mom and adored being an active grandmother (“Baba”). Betty and David were truly devoted to each other and shared 48 beautiful years together. They traveled the world and loved to take the entire family on fun trips. There wasn’t a holiday that Betty didn’t extensively decorate the house for for or fail to celebrate with just the right delicious meal and special drinks. If there was a party, Betty was there! She was always ready to have the most fun of anyone and was forever dressed to the nines! She loved dancing, jokes and laughter. She had a beautiful, easy belly laugh. She always had smiles in her eyes, a mega-watt radiant smile on her lips and something kind to say. Her heart was truly earnest and loving and she was just so much FUN to be around. Betty was an incredible hostess and a gourmet cook. She just honestly loved taking care of everyone. If you were a loved one and in need, she’d take you in for months on end. She regularly fed all of the elderly neighbors on her block with delicious meals. A Navy brat as a child, she moved every 15 months with her parents and siblings. Thus keeping a stable physical family home was a huge priority for her. She certainly succeeded. Betty packed a ton of love and adventure into her 68 years. She loved going on trips with her best girlfriends, Sandy (Hauser) Richards, and Angele Hayashi. Her many close friends – from childhood, Y-wives, and from her long-time employment at Northrup Grumman – were incredibly important to her.

Betty Jean was even more beautiful, generous and loving on the inside than she was uncommonly gorgeous on the outside. She was truly the heart center and soul of our family life. She will be remembered with great love by us every minute of every day. But, please remember, all she would want is for us to celebrate her memory in JOY, forever keeping her what she truly was – the life and light of the party! Mommy we LOVE you.

Betty’s viewing will be held at Douglass Mortuary on 12/29, 6:00-8:00pm 500 E. Imperial Ave. El Segundo 90245. There will also be a Memorial Service at Visitation Church in Westchester after she has been cremated, details TBA: https://wonderfullife.com/of/betty-pelka/memories/

In lieu of flowers, you may make a memorial gift in Betty’s name to The Soldiers Project, a wonderful and vetted California-based non-profit supporting wounded veterans and their families. https://www.thesoldiersproject.org/