Mary “Betty” Leavitt
Betty Leavitt passed away July 9, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada, a week before her 93rd birthday. She was born July 21, 1919. She is survived by her son, William Job Leavitt, Jr. and his wife Valerie Claire Leavitt. She is also survived by four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; Claire Elizabeth Leavitt-Scott (Caleb, Gabriel, Anneliese, William), Christopher Job Leavitt (Jared, Dillon, Matthew), Holly Jean Leavitt-Chow (Nathan), Malinda Ann Leavitt-DiMambro (Wesley, Jessica).
Betty spent most of her growing up years in Dos Palos, California where her father was a greatly respected farmer and rancher. Her father also managed the Wiser Ranch in Moapa, Nevada prior to her birth. She graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class.
She met William Job Leavitt, Sr. during World War II while working at a military base in California. Soon after their meeting William left for Harvard University at the request of the military. Upon his graduation from Harvard Business School, Bill and Betty were married in Christ Church on Harvard Square August 10, 1942. Following their marriage they were stationed at many different locations including The Pentagon in Washington DC. It was at this time, after approximately 9 years of trying to have a child that their only child, William Job Leavitt, Jr. was born. They went on to serve in other locations; including The Panama Canal Zone, and San Antonio, Texas at Randolph Air Force Base.. They were transferred to Las Vegas, Nevada for Bill to serve as Wing Comptroller at Nellis Air Force Base in 1955. Lieutenant Colonel Leavitt had a massive heart attack at the age of 42 and was forced to retire from the Air Force due to physical disability in 1958.
Bill and Betty then went into the real estate business in the Las Vegas area opening Pyramid Realty. After Bill’s death in 1968, Betty continued in real estate and helped organize the Professional Standards Committee of the Board of Realtors. She ultimately helped draft many of the guidelines and standards used today in the real estate industry. She continued to work in real estate as a broker for many years until her retirement.
Betty was known by all as a Christian woman who was kind and loving to all. She was a great example to her family and all those around her. She was recently baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was looking forward to going through the Las Vegas Temple.
Her services will be held at the LDS Gateway and Wyoming Chapel located at 4040 East Wyoming at Gateway on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. There will be visitation on Friday, July 20 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Palm Mortuary, 1325 North Main Street; and again on Saturday, July 21, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. prior to the services on Saturday. Interment will follow at Palm Mortuary and Mausoleum at 1325 Main Street in the Building of Acacia.
