Betty Jean Cochran Hunt

Betty Jean Cochran Hunt, age 89, of Roseville, CA passed away December 6, 2024. 

She was born February 27, 1935, to Elizabeth Amelia Reif and Delmar George Cochran. In 1953, she graduated from Fairview High School in Dayton, Ohio. Betty attended Ohio Wesleyan University and graduated in 1957 with a degree in mathematics. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

She was married to Robert Parrot Hunt in 1958. After marrying, they moved to Boston, MA where Betty worked at MIT and Bob attended graduate school. The pair moved to Menlo Park, CA in the early 60s where they raised their three children.

Betty worked at the NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field as a secretary to research test pilots. In a letter, she wrote, “It was a great place to work – good science, good people, and good airplanes.” She was a certified financial planner and worked seasonally for H&R Block as a tax preparer for many years. She retired at the age of 62 and moved to Roseville to be near her children and grandchildren. 

She loved her “wonderful lap dogs,” shih-tzus Molly Muffin and Maggie. Betty loved an English garden, painting, and dabbled in woodworking. She loved traveling, especially to England in hopes of seeing the Queen. She enjoyed cooking and gifted her recipes to her family. Her garlic bread and chocolate cake recipes were particularly loved.

Betty was a lifetime member of AAUW, and belonged to PEO and the Roseville Gardening Club.

Betty was preceded in death by her mother Elizabeth Amelia Reif Cochran, and her father Delmar George Cochran, as well as her sisters, Annabelle Cochran and Linda Kay Cochran. She is survived by her son Bruce (Theressa), daughter Carrie (Dan), and son Scott (Suzy), as well as her five grandchildren, Jordan, Sarah, Rachel, Robby and Ryan. Betty’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

She will be laid to rest alongside her parents, sisters, and grandmother in Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum in Dayton, Ohio on January 18, 2025 at 1p.m.