Betty A Pierce was born June 9, 1953, in Michigan, to JF and Martha Smithcors. She moved with her family to Santa Barbara in 1961, where she spent her childhood. She is survived by her daughter, Chelsea Monti (Justin); grandchildren, Charlotte and Madeleine; sister Joane Williams; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Ernie. She was predeceased by her sisters Diane Healy and Suzanne Jack.

Betty attended Stony Brook University where she joined the tennis team and was quite a star. She later returned to Santa Barbara and finished her degree in sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her entire career was centered around educating, protecting and promoting children. In Santa Barbara she worked at the Endowment for Youth Foundation and Girls Incorporated, inspiring young girls to investigate the sciences. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, she became involved in working with at-risk children and later working with biological mothers and adoptive parents. Her life was dedicated to making the world better, one child at a time. 

In her later years Betty remained an avid tennis fan. She also had a love for music and for years regularly attended the Monterey Jazz Festival. She was an opera lover, and attended numerous live performances at the Santa Barbara and Tucson operas.

A memorial service will be planned for later this year. In lieu of flowers, please donate to any charity dedicating to helping children.