* Mary ‘Betty’ Beardsley; Cancer Volunteer

Ventura resident Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Beardsley died Sunday after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was 80.

Beardsley was born Oct. 9, 1918, in DeSmet, Idaho, where she lived a short time before moving with her parents to Spokane, Wash. She graduated from high school in Spokane and attended junior college there, said her daughter, Jennifer Guernsey of Ojai.

In September 1940, she married Leonard Beardsley. They lived in Washington state many years before moving to Ventura. The couple’s favorite place was Orcas Island, Wash., where they had a second home for many years.

Beardsley was an avid reader and cook, and enjoyed music and art. She was active in a Catholic church and garden club on Orcas Island and also played bridge. In the 1960s and ‘70s, she was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s office in Van Nuys.

Beardsley’s family described her as a woman of great strength, dignity and spirit. She was very involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Guernsey said.

In addition to her husband of 58 years and daughter, Beardsley is survived by two sons, Michael Beardsley of Atascadero and Brian Beardsley of Simi Valley; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Patrice Carr.

Memorial contributions in Beardsley’s name can be made to any office of the American Cancer Society.

There will be a service at 1 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Ventura. Father George Reynolds will officiate. Burial will be private.

Arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, Ventura.