Betty Lee Babcock (March 11, 1922 – August 4, 2013) was an American businesswoman, politician, and the wife of the Governor of Montana Tim M. Babcock. She held the position of First Lady of Montana from 1962 to 1969. Additionally, she served as a delegate to the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention and as a member of Montana House of Representatives from 1975 to 1977.
Betty Lee Babcock | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of Montana | |
| In office January 25, 1962 – January 6, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | Maxine Trotter Nutter |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Evelyn Samson Anderson |
| Montana Constitutional Convention delegate | |
| In office 1972–1972 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 11, 1922 Aplington, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died | August 4, 2013 (aged 91) Helena, Montana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Tim M. Babcock (1941-2013) (her death) |
Early life
editBorn in Aplington, Iowa, on March 11, 1922, Babcock moved to Montana in 1926. She attended Dawson County Junior College. On September 21, 1941, she married Tim M. Babcock, who subsequently joined her father's trucking business, which later became: Babcock & Lee.[1]
Career
editIn 1962, Babcock assumed the role of Montana's first lady when her husband, then lieutenant governor, became governor following the death of Donald Nutter. Following her time as first lady, from 1969 to 1971, Babcock served as the director of the Helena Chamber of Commerce. In 1970, the Babcocks launched the Colonial Inn in Helena, with Betty taking on the role of manager.[1] Betty Babcock was elected to and served in the Montana Constitutional Convention of 1972, where she was one of 100 delegates tasked with drafting a new Montana Constitution. Beginning in 1975, she served in the Montana House of Representatives as a Republican. In 1978, Babcock and her husband wrote 'Challenges: Above & Beyond.' Babcock served as chair of the Montana Capitol Restoration Foundation.
Death and legacy
editBabcock died in Helena, Montana on August 4, 2013, at the age of 91.[2][3] Governor Steve Bullock ordered all U.S. and state flags in Montana to fly at half staff until August 8 in her memory.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Kirk, Kelly (Summer 2016). "State of Change: Women and he 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention". Montana The Magazine of Western History. 66 (2): 6. JSTOR 26322794. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ Johnson, Charles (5 August 2013). "Former First Lady Betty Babcock dies". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ Banks, Marnee (4 August 2013). "Former Montana first lady Betty Babcock passes away at 91". KRTV.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ "Babcock to Lie in State, Flags Ordered at Half-Staff". ABC FOX Montana. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
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