A cheerful presence in Corrales since the 1980s, Gay Betzer has died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Tulsa native was involved in several local good causes, but especially Casa San Ysidro Museum. She was among the first to train for the museum’s docent program. The Albuquerque Museum Foundation honored her for that service in 1999. She served on the board of directors for the museum.

She was also a strong supporter for the Corrales Historical Society.

Betzer graduated Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Oklahoma majoring in English in 1960, followed by course work at George Washington University in Washington DC.

She married Stan Betzer, now an attorney, when they were in college. She is survived by him and by sons John and Evan and their families, including  four grandchildren and two sisters.

A celebration of her life will be held in the spring or early summer. Memorial donations may be sent to Albuquerque Museum Foundation’s Gay Betzer Children’s Fund.