Betty Jean McDowell Shifflet passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 25, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on November 6, 1935, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Eugene and Lorean McDowell. Her family spent a short time in Alma, Colorado, before moving to Pueblo, where she began elementary school. Betty had an older brother who passed away as an infant and two younger sisters, Eloise and Sherry.

As a child, Betty was very shy. She loved art and especially enjoyed designing outfits for her paper dolls. She often spoke fondly of her favorite teacher, Mrs. Albrecio, at Bradford Elementary. In high school, Betty discovered a true love and talent for dancing as well as math. She worked as a bookkeeper at the age of 15. She graduated from Centennial High School in 1954, a proud Centennial Bulldog.

When Betty was in the seventh grade, she developed a crush on Richard “Dick” Shifflet and fondly remembered writing his name all over her notebook. After high school, Betty and Dick married and began their life together. They had four children: David, Scott, Donna, and Amy.

In 1964, Betty and Dick started Craftsman Heating & Air Conditioning together and built a very successful business. They also enjoyed traveling, visiting several countries and taking numerous cruises. Betty especially loved camping and fishing in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.

She was a lifelong sports fan. From baseball and football to golf, Betty tried to watch as many games and matches as possible each week. Her love of football even paid off when she won a weekly newspaper contest for correctly predicting the most football game winners!

In December 2001, Betty received the extraordinary gift of a heart transplant, giving her nearly 25 additional years of life. That precious gift allowed her to experience so many more special moments with her family, including meeting 17 great-grandchildren and anticipating the arrival of one more.

In 2015, three years after her husband’s passing, Betty moved to St. George, Utah to be closer to her daughters and enjoy the milder winters. Her friends and family will remember her for her beautiful eyes, her ever-present smile, and the delicious sweets she loved to bake and generously share with others.

In her later years, Betty moved to The Retreat assisted living facility, where she made many wonderful friends. She became affectionately known as “Bingo Betty” because of her impressive winning streak.

Betty leaves behind her four children: David Shifflet (Catherine) of Denver, Colorado; Scott Shifflet (Donna) of Pueblo, Colorado; Donna Meserve (Roger) of St. George, Utah; and Amy Mitchell (Kelly) of Washington, Utah; as well as her sister, Sherry Mraovich (Butch) of Pueblo, Colorado. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her older brother, and her sister and brother-in-law, Eloise and Chuck Tucker, as well as numerous other beloved friends and family members.

Betty lived a long and beautiful life, filled with family, adventure, laughter, sports, friendship, and love. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her family would like to thank the tender care provided by The Retreat at Sunbrook and Southern Utah Hospice.

A family gathering to honor and celebrate her beautiful life will be held in Pueblo, Colorado, over Labor Day Weekend 2026.