Elizabeth Louise "Betsy" Nichols, 85, of Albany passed away Tuesday at the Samaritan Albany General Hospital.

She was born in Monroe City, Mo., the daughter of William and Effie (Beals) Hays. Betsy was raised in Monroe and graduated from high school there. She married Marvin Oakley Nichols in Chillicothe, Mo., in December of 1945.

Betsy received a lifetime membership award to the P.T.A. and was a den mother for the Cub Scouts in California. They eventually moved to Page, Ariz., where they owned and she operated Page Jewelers until they retired. They moved to Albany in 2002 and she and Marvin volunteered at the St. Mary's Soup Kitchen for 10 years. She enjoyed gardening and sewing and her special joy was being with her family and friends.

Betsy is survived by her husband of 66 years, Marvin; son Marvin Jr. and wife Carol Nichols of Jefferson; daughter Mary Joyce and husband Dennis of California; son Paul Nichols of Lebanon; daughter Cynthia Purkey and husband Eric of Albany; sons Patrick Nichols of Florida and William "Bill" Nichols of Arizona; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two sisters; and one brother.

A recitation of the rosary will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Albany, with Mass of Christian burial following at 11 a.m.

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements ( www.aasum-dufour.com ).