Betty Emma Vinion Challinor

Betty Emma Vinion Challinor passed away in her home on Dec. 28, 2022, after a long battle with asbestosis. She was 82.

Betty was born Nov. 17, 1940, to Francis and Emma Vinion in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.

She graduated high school in Bonners Ferry and then attended college in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Betty met and married Jim Challinor and moved to Libby. They had four children, including Greg, Jeff, Scott and Jamie.

Betty found her calling in helping others. She was a 4-H leader for many years and ran the indigent services in Libby, as well as being an ombudsman for the Area Agency on Aging. She also volunteered on the crisis line and at the womens shelters.

Betty’s true passion was painting. She taught oil painting classes at the senior center for years as well as teaching the summer rec kids to paint. Betty worked until she was 80. She always said she couldn’t sit around with nothing to do.

Betty is survived by three of her children, Jeff Challinor of Victor, Montana; Scott Challinor of Creston, Montana; Jamie Challinor Crowell of Kalispell, Montana; 11 grandkids and four great grandkids.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband Jim and oldest son Greg as well as her grandson, Tyler Challinor.

There will be a celebration of her life at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Hidden Chapel in Libby, 1207 Utah Ave.

Please come and share your memories of this wonderful woman with us.

If you would like to share a memory or story and don’t want to speak at the service, please send a card to P.O. Box 390, Libby, MT 59923 c/o Barb Guthnick.

Someone will read the memory or story for you.

There will be snacks and coffee served after the service.

There will also be a family gathering on May 27 at her home in Kalispell, Montana.