Obituaries : Elizabeth (Betty) Loretta Grace; Artist

Elizabeth (Betty) Loretta Grace, a longtime Northridge resident who enjoyed watercolor painting, has died in Northridge. She was 69.

Mrs. Grace died Wednesday of a heart attack, said her son, Jeff Grace.

She was born Elizabeth Ardetich on Feb. 17, 1921, in Buffalo, N.Y. In 1967, she moved to California and settled in Northridge.

In the early 1980s, she attended Pasadena City College and an art studio in Van Nuys, where she learned watercolor painting. Mrs. Grace, who enjoyed painting landscapes, portraits and old houses, was a member of the Valley Watercolor Society, the San Fernando Valley Art Club and West Valley Artists’ Assn. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Northridge and sang in the choir.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Chester Grace; a son, Jeff Grace of Northridge; a daughter, Norine Rathbone of Visalia; and a brother, Steven Ardetich of Tonawanda, N.Y.

Visitation is scheduled tonight from 5 to 9 and on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at Bastian & Perrott Mortuary, 18728 Parthenia St. in Northridge, which is handling the arrangements. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Sunday at the mortuary. A funeral Mass is to be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 9800 Canby St., Northridge. Burial will follow at San Fernando Mission Cemetery.