Betty Joan McLauchlan Rivers

Betty Joan McLauchlan Rivers, age 70, passed through the veil to eternal life on January 18, 2024 at her home in Providence, Utah.  Her husband Randy Roy Rivers was at her side.  Her battle with dementia was an inspiration to her family, and friends.

Betty was the fourth of four girls in her family, born in Newton, Sussex County New Jersey on the 26 April 1953 to Alexander Shaw McLauchlan and Taimi Velamo Niemi.  She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a degree in Medieval English.  She met her eternal companion Randy Roy Rivers in 1979 and they were married in the Washington DC Temple on 15 September 1979.  

Betty lived her life with energy and caring.  She had a career as a secretary, paralegal assistant, and school bus driver.  The last few years of her career were spent in Carpentersville, Illinois driving special education buses for students of District 300.  Her time spent as a paralegal was in Salisbury, Maryland working for Steven D. Cox which brought her much joy and learning.

She is preceded in death by her father Alexander Shaw McLauchlan and her mother Taimi Velamo Niemi.  She had a proud heritage of Finish, Ojibway, and Scottish.  She enjoyed genealogy and finding out about her ancestors.  

She is survived by her two children Remii Roy Rivers (Alyssa) of Alpine, Utah, and Reino Kerri Rivers (Dallas) of Rexburg, Idaho and her husband Randy Roy Rivers Providence, Utah.  She has five grandchildren Benjamin, Lucas, Chloe, Isabelle, and Selene with one on the way; sisters Christine Anne Schwarz (Charles), Taimi Louise McLauchlan, and Peggy Jean Duduk (Clement).

Many thanks to the staff and nurses of Enhabit Home Health and Hospice.  Especially Dana, Melissa, Jennifer, Shawna, and the many other nurses, nurse’s aides, chaplain, and social workers.  Without whose help the past year could not have been endured.  

Funeral arraignments are provided by Allen Hall Mortuary Services 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah.  A viewing and visitation will be at the funeral home on January 26th 2024 at 12:30 to 1:30 pm.  Betty will be interred at the Providence Cemetery 925 River Heights Boulevard, River Heights, Utah after the viewing with grave dedication done by Remii Roy Rivers.