Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Peyton

Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Peyton of Bonners Ferry, Idaho went home to be with the Lord on June 15, 2021 at Sunset Home in Bonners Ferry after a long struggle with cancer. Betsy was 80 years old. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry, Idaho on June 29, 2021, at 11:00 am. The vigil (rosary) will be at on June 28, 2021, at 7:00 pm. Interment to be held at a later date. Born February 15,1941, in Washington, DC to Lt. Col. Leon K. Bryner and Mary Virginia Lauderdale Bryner, Betsy grew up in Arlington, VA. Upon graduation from Wakefield High School, she attended the Washington School for Secretaries in Washington, D.C. Betsy furthered her education at Radford College in Christiansburg, Virginia and later received her Associates Degree in General Studies at Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge, Virginia. Unbeknownst to her, Betsy met the love of her life, Tom Peyton in the 7th grade at Dolly Madison Junior High School in Arlington, Virginia. Many years later, they crossed paths again in Monterey, California. After a year-long courtship, they were married in Carmel, California on November 27, 1971. Betsy spent her career with the U. S. Department of Interior as a Contracting Officer and Program Analyst. Upon retirement in 1997, Betsy received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the second highest award bestowed to civilian federal employees for their public service. In the mid-1990’s, Betsy and Tom took a trip to the Pacific Northwest to visit family, and they fell in love with northern Idaho. On a later trip to Bonners Ferry, ID to visit Tom’s brother they decided northern Idaho would be their retirement destiny and in 2000 they moved from Woodbridge, VA to Bonners Ferry. Betsy was a devout member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church where she was involved in the Altar Society, Liturgy Committee and a weekly Usher. She enjoyed walking and gardening. She had a lifetime interest in art and enjoyed doing various crafts, sewing, stenciling and engraving. But her favorite thing to do was spend time with her family. Betsy rarely missed her grandchildren’s ballet recitals, marching band and music performances, and soccer games. She also enjoyed spending time with her dogs, Muffin and Chum. Betsy was preceded in death by her parents, Lt. Colonel Leon K. and Mary V. Bryner, in-laws Colonel Hamilton M. and Elizabeth (Betsey) Peyton, brother Leon (Lee) K. Bryner, Jr. and brother-in-law Richard Brennan. She is survived by her husband of 49 years Thomas (Tom) R. Peyton, children; Mollie (Bruce) Yeatts of Bainbridge Island, Washington, Beth (Travis) Walker of Bonners Ferry and Chip (Kenyette) Mills of Gore, Virginia, grandchildren; Peyton Elizabeth Yeatts of Bainbridge Island, Washington, Sarah Rachel Walker of Lynchburg, Virginia., Daniel Joseph Walker and Noah Michael Walker of Bonners Ferry, brother-in-law John (Luise) Peyton of Bonners Ferry, sister- in-law, Jean Peyton Brennan of Salinas California, sister-in-law, Susan Bryner of Mineral, Virginia, nephews; Leon K. (Kirk) Bryner of Culpepper, Virginia, Gordon Peyton of Moscow, Idaho, Paul (Janette) Brennan of Santa Cruz, California, Brian (Wendy) Brennan of San Jose, California; niece Ann (David) Gass of Austin, Texas; devoted cousin, Meigs Lauderdale Ranney of Chevy Chase, Maryland, numerous grandnieces and nephews; and dear loyal friends, Judy Shearer of Bonners Ferry, Don and Mary Kay Dinning of Bonners Ferry, Terrie Fajardo and Emogene Bevitt of Brookeville, Maryland, and many wonderful neighbors. Betsy will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her, but we rejoice that she is released from pain. She is free and with the Lord! The family wishes to extend a special thank-you to the staff at Sunset Home, and to Gail Dirks, for their loving care of Betsy and support to Betsy’s family over the past year. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry, Sunset Home, Bonners Ferry, Idaho, Samaritan’s Purse, or the American Cancer Society. Family and friends are invited to sign Betsy’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.