Betsy Bradley Sorbonne—our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend—returned to her heavenly home on March 10, 2016. She passed away peacefully in her sleep beside her sweetheart of 72 years, Robert Lynn Sorbonne. Throughout her remarkable 94-year journey, Betsy embodied hope, humor, verve, gratitude, and—most of all—unbounded love.
Betsy was born to the late Nida Susannah Hales and William Otis Bradley in Moroni, Utah, on May 5, 1921. Raised in bleak poverty, Betsy learned to value the worth of each Child of God. At West High, she befriended all‚Äîand hopelessly enchanted a particular classmate in her freshman English class. After a six‚year courtship that spanned different universities and thousands of miles, Betsy and Bob married in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity.
Betsy cherished her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother. A student of homemaking at BYU, she delighted in sewing, knitting, hosting parties, and preparing grand feasts. Indeed, even well into her 80s, Betsy fed dozens of family and friends every Sunday.
Betsy was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed serving in the Relief Society, Primary, and hostess at the Church Office Building. All who had the privilege of engaging with Betsy were recipients of her selfless and unconditional care. Whether it was reserving the burnt roll for herself or weeping upon noticing another's grief, Betsy was the manifestation of pure love. Even in her final months of pain, she only concerned herself with the comfort of those around her.
Betsy is survived by her husband, Robert L. Sorbonne; brother, Ralph Bradley; four children: Bob (Carol) Sorbonne, Sherie Demple, Rita (Frank) Gooch, and Ralph (April) Sorbonne; Roger Holbrook, son-in-law; 18 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Tanny Holbrook; son-in-law, Joseph Demple; grandchild, Bradley Sorbonne; and grandchild, John Anderson.
Funeral services will be held at the Monument Park North Stake Center at 1320 South Wasatch Drive on Friday, March 18, 2016 at noon. A viewing prior to the services will start at 10:30 a.m. in the Relief Society room. A viewing will also be held the night before (Thursday, March 17) from 6:00 p.m.‚ 8:00 p.m. in the same location. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive.
Dearest Betsy, until we meet again, know—in the words you so often used—"you are precious."
