Elizabeth J. "Betty Jo" Houchin passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family.  Betty Jo was born June 19, 1934, to Thomas "Titty" and Mary Mulcahy.  She attended St. Mary's Elementary School and was a proud Galloping Gale.  She graduated from Butte High School in 1953.

Betty met Albert R. Houchin.  They were married on December 07, 1953, in Butte, Montana.  Shortly after, they started their family, which included 4 boys and 2 girls.  After the birth of their third child, they moved to Medford, Oregon, where they resided for about a year before returning to their hometown of Butte, Montana.  Betty and Al welcomed 3 more children and bought their first, and only, home on the hill.  Al worked for the ACM (Anaconda Mining Company) until his death in 1977.

Following Al's death, Betty began her career with the ACM at the Berkley Pit as one of the first women selected for an apprenticeship, earning her certificate as a haul truck driver.  Not long after, Betty became employed by the Butte School District as a substitute cleaner at Hillcrest Elementary School.  She was hired permanently as a cleaner at Butte High School, where she was a proud Bulldog and made many lifelong friends, which include Helen Hanley and Julie McCleod.  Her sister, Cass, and niece, Tina, also worked along side her.  She was loved by all the teachers and students.  After 26 years with the School District, she retired in 2006.  Betty belonged to the Teamsters Union, where she served as Shop Steward until he r retirement.  She was a proud advocate for all cleaners.

Betty had many interests.  Her day started, and ended, with the radio playing loudly from the bathroom.  Not a day went by that the house wasn't filled with music.  Betty really loved Andrea Bocelli and was able to take a trip with her grandson's Josh and Jimmy to Las Vegas to see him in concert. Betty enjoyed playing the piano for family and friends and watching sports, her favorite time was spent watching Notre Dame. Betty watched every game, whether traveling to the game or watching at home.  Betty had the pleasure of traveling to several games and would go any chance she got.  Her true light was her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.  Her greatest joy was watching them grow.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, May and Titty Mulcahy; husband, Albert Houchin; brothers, Patrick, Richard, Tom, Moe, Mickey, and Bill Mulcahy; sisters, Cass Rosich, Marie Cassidy, and Alice McMillian; brother-in-law, Don Griffith; nieces, Kathy Collins and Patty Cassidy; and nephew, Chris Cassidy.,

Betty is survived by her siblings, Marty (Kay) Mulcahy, Colleen Griffith, and Eilene Tierney; children, Albert "Butch" Houchin, Marty Houchin, Ann (Mickey) Joseph, Mike (Leslie) Houchin, Ed (Valerie) Houchin, and Betty (Karl) Boltz; and grandchildren, Albert (Stacy) Houchin, Kevin Houchin, Josh Joseph, Jimmy Joseph, Michael (Teal) Houchin, Megan (David) Dominguez, Ashlee (Jordan) Hamilton, Hailee (Brody) Becker, Jacob (Avery) Boltz, and Riley Boltz.  She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Colton, Kayleigh, Alyssa, Cowhen, Camden, Sophia, Josephine, and Michael Houchin: Braxton, Hutson, and Harrison Hamilton, Josie Becker, and Brooks Boltz; and great-great grandchildren, Maxine, Ryder, Addison, Aubrey, Everlynn, and Braydon.

A special thank you to Lori Podobnik, and her family, for everything that they did for Betty.  She truly enjoyed their company and the countless hours that they spent together.  Also, her nieces, Peg and TT, for never forgetting Holidays or birthdays.  Betty loved her pajamas and candy.  Thank you to our Finlander Family for your help when she was sick.  We'd also like to express our heartfelt thanks, to HoneyBee Hospice for their compassion during the year Betty spent in their care.  We wish to thank her nurses; Dorothy, Kiren, and Rylee, Julie, Virginia, and Krysten.  Dorothy, who spent most of their time together, enjoyed many stories told to her by Betty, and Kiren was in charge of her "spa days" and would paint her toes.  We thank you sincerely for the care you gave to our mother.

Betty will be missed by all, but she is finally at peace and reunited with her loved ones and her beloved husband, "Sonny"

Visitation will be Thursday 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am.