Obituaries for Dec. 4, 2009

Sister Veronica Anne

Sister Veronica Anne McAuley, 85, a former Baker City resident, died Nov. 30, 2009, at Our Lady of Angels Convent in Aston, Pa.

She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 59 years.

Sister Veronica Anne (Bridget Teresa McAuley) was born at Headford, County Galway, Ireland. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1950. She ministered both in local house ministry, cooking for the sisters with whom she lived, and in health care as a licensed practical nurse.

Her 18 years in the Baker area included ministering at Holy Family Convent and St. Elizabeth Nursing Home/St. Elizabeth Health Care Center at Baker City, as well as in St. Joseph Parish at Prineville.

She also ministered at Portland, Tacoma, Wash., and St. Stephens in Wyoming. At the time of her death, she was a volunteer at Assisi House, her congregation’s retirement home at Aston, Pa.

Survivors include her sister, Nora Costello of Ireland; her nieces and nephews; and her Franciscan family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.

Betty Tidwell

Betty Tidwell, 85, of Baker City, died Nov. 28, 2009, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.

Her graveside funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Haines Cemetery. Her grandson, Roy Tidwell, will officiate.

Betty Catherine Tidwell was born on May 17, 1924, at Bartlesville, Okla., to John Melville Williams and Una Ann Lefevers Williams. 

She married Roy E. Tidwell at Las Vegas, Nev., on June 14, 1943.  Roy died on June 18, 1999.

Betty loved horses, dogs, painting and traveling. She moved often and lived all around the world.

She always kept busy and wasn’t afraid to try new things, her family said. Betty loved life and was very active.

Her husband ran the Antlers Hotel for a time, which she enjoyed because she was a very social person and made friends easily.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Survivors include her son, Roy Michael Tidwell of Lone Pine, Calif.; a granddaughter, Robin Feik and her husband, Robert, of North Powder; and a grandson, Roy M. Tidwell, and his wife, Stephanie, of Haines.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Settler’s Park Activity Fund through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.